KEN ROSEWALL ARENA TRANSFORMATION OF A MULTIPURPOSE ARENA IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Location Sydney, Australia Client /operator Tennis NSW Architect Cox Architecture Sydney, Australia www.cox.com.au
Official opening January 2020
The design of the new roof is seamlessly responsive to the original bowl design – all the while being clearly articulated as a distinct addition to it. A light and ephemeral cable net structure works closely with the existing bowl structure to support a delicate PTFE fabric skin. Designed collaboratively with Arup Engineers and Fabritecture, it provides the required shading and protection from the elements.
Construction costs AUD 50.5 million (EUR 31.9 million)
The leading edge placed 4 m above the back of the bowl creates a visual connec-
Author Cox Architecture Photos Cameron Hallam Peter Nguyen
54
The Ken Rosewall Arena hosted tennis in the 2000 Olympics Games and was designed by BDP and BVN in 1997. In late 2018, COX Architecture was appointed to transform the facility to host the inaugural ATP Cup tournament and Super Netball Season games. The challenge: tennis requires a roof canopy that eliminates sunlight and rain while allowing players and spectators views out towards the skyline. Netball requires the elimination of wind, which is only achievable with a “total” enclosure of the bowl. tion to the skyline – as required for tennis. To preclude wind – as required for netball – it is enclosed by large hydraulically controlled folding translucent panels, creating a highly animated and changeable façade. Ventilation Through CFD analysis, natural ventilation was demonstrated as appropriate to create an occupiable environment underneath the roof, as it protects occupants from the sun. The rear bowl operable panels around the full perimeter enable natural ventilation by sb 5/2021
