RIPPLED LANDSCAPE As social media facilitates more decentralized forms of human interface, the role of the communal facility to serve as a centralized public space for physical and social interaction becomes ever more important. In designing the Gunyama Park and Aquatic Centre we ask ourselves a set of questions to provoke and stimulate our design intention. What is the purpose of a communal facility in today’s connected world through social media? What experiences could we provide in the Gunyama Park and Aquatic Centre that can reach beyond the limits of social media? What are the ways in which architecture could play in shaping these experiences?
In response, we propose a spatial framework that allows for the discovery of human senses through quality of space and enhanced hybridization of programs. The “L” shape aquatic centre is proposed to sit along Joynton Avenue with entrance located on Zetland Avenue. Primary leisure activities of swimming pools, hydrotherapy, health and fitness centre are placed within the long wing, while administration, changing rooms and support functions are stacked within three floors in the short wing. In the ground floor, pools of different shapes and sizes are composed playfully to provide memorable experience for visitor of different ages. Two featured pools are elevated three meters above ground to provide an unique swim experience with visual connection to swimmers in the lower level. Up in first level, health and fitness centre are positioned to take advantage of the views into the swim hall, creating a seen and be-seen relationship. Structure of aquatic centre is formed by rippled geometry spanning across the site longitudinally to create both a semi-enclosed and covered experience for the visitors. Under the curvaceous roof
light is filtered through series of troughs. A triple height triangular foyer forming a view of forced perspective directs visitors into the different functional spaces within the aquatic centre. By the south end of foyer is the grand step serving both as connection to the upper level and spectator seatings for the outdoor pool. Rippled geometry is deployed to organize the park activity through contoured surfaces with hard and soft scapes to promote mixtures of simultaneous events, also serving as spectator stand. Permanent programs for the park are located on the southeast corner, leaving stage two site area for soft scape and lightweight temporary elements. Field change rooms and toilets are located in a simple structure with articulations that resembles the aquatic centre. Rippled geometry is permeated in both the park and aquatic centre as an organizational frame. It is a place where synergy is created through leisure and sport experience with spectacular spaces that promotes interaction, communication, and multitudes of social and physical exchange. It will make Gunyama Park and Aquatic Centre a celebrated place to be.
Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre
Green Square Design Competition 1 / 4
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20 MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD 21 CHANGING ROOM / TOILET / STORAGE / KITCHENETTE 22 PLAYSPACE 23 SKATEABLE MOMENTS 24 CIRCULATION PATH 25 SPECTATOR SEATING
Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre
Green Square Design Competition 2 / 4
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ZETLAND AVENUE
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PART PLAN 1ST LEVEL SPECTATOR SEAT. CHANGING RM
PART PLAN 1ST LEVEL SWIM HALL . HEALTH FITNESS CENTRE
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01 FOYER
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02 CAFE
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03 OUTDOOR SEATING
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04 TICKETING
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05 BEFORE/ AFTER GATE
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07 SHOWER
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08 SPECTATOR STAND 09 OFFICE/ ADMINSTRATION
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10 FEATURE POOL
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12 HEALTH FITNESS CENTRE 13 POOL HALL
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14 OPERABLE FOLDING DOOR 15 OPEN TO BELOW 16 LEISURE POOL 17 OUTDOOR POOL 18 HYDROTHERAPY 19 PLANT ROOM
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PART SECTION LEISURE POOL . FEATURE POOL
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PART PLAN GROUND LEVEL FOYER . CAFE . CHANGING RM
Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre
Green Square Design Competition 3 / 4
HYBRIDIZATION Various sports activities are hybridized and linked through visual and acoustical connections. Under rippled roof geometry, visitors to the health and fitness centre are exposed to and impacted by visitors of the swim centre and vice versa. Terracing of the space provides a memorizing experience. Facade of the feature pools located on the mezzanine level are revealed to the lower level, creating a seen and beseen relationship. Large folding doors in between the leisure pool and outdoor pool allow an ambiguous inside out relationship.
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03 OUTDOOR SEATING
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10 FEATURE POOL 11 WATER SLIDE 12 HEALTH FITNESS CENTRE
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13 POOL HALL 16 LEISURE POOL 17 OUTDOOR POOL
Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre
Green Square Design Competition 4 / 4