“……structural glass balustrades ensure all patrons will be kept safe at all times”
Architect: Cox Architecture
Client: Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Builder: AW Edwards
Photographer: Martin Mischkulnig
Location: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
Work Completed by Active Metal
Steel Balustrades, Glazed Balustrade
Overview
Originally created to host the Tennis events for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Ken Rosewall Arena has been substantially redeveloped for 2020. Appointed to oversee the transformation was Cox Architecture, partnering with builders AW Edwards.
The main focus was to move the Arena from an open pavilion to a multi-purpose covered facility, at the same time ensuring the building complied with current codes, and the seating reflected the enhanced user experience demanded today. New lighting, sound and huge video screens complete the modernisation. The sports facility will also be used for netball as well as tennis moving forward.
A new roof with a striking, cable tension structure and PTFE fabric was a first for a stadium type building in Australia. Other innovative features included an operable opening façade around the perimeter. The intent of this façade is to provide an open, outdoor feel for tennis matches, while for the netball season it will be closed.
Active Metal’s role in the project was to work with AW Edwards and Cox to design a crowd loaded glazed balustrade to the entire upper perimeter of the Arena, as well as midway through the seating areas. Using structural laminated glass fixed between heavy steel staunchions, these structural glass balustrades ensure that even when every seat of the 10,000 capacity stadium are full, all patrons will be kept safe at all times.
It is of note that the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre was completed in time for the January 2020 ATP Cup, prior to the Australian Open. To quote the namesake of the facility, Ken Rosewall, “it’s certainly a facility for the future”
Link to High Load Rated Balustrades
