PRECAST’S ROLE IN
AWARD-WINNING INFRASTRUCTURE NATIONAL PRECAST PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF HOW PRECAST IS CONTRIBUTING TO AUSTRALIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE SUCCESS AND THE AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS LEADING THE WAY.
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ith Australian cities making a substantial commitment to statement infrastructure, interest in the nation’s civic structures is dramatically increasing. Infrastructure becomes iconic by striking a permanent pose and Australian precast concrete is doing just that with award-winning projects on national and worldwide scales. 2018 was an impressive year for National Precast’s members, with a range of member projects making headlines for their feats. From the Australian Institute of Architect’s Architecture Awards to internationally renowned The Stadium Business Awards in London, Australian precast concrete is stepping into the spotlight and stealing the show. Optus Stadium’s wall facade features 4000 square metres of precast panels.
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ROADS FEBRUARY 2019
OPTUS STADIUM In one of many accolades for this remarkable project, Optus Stadium was recognised as a world-class venue at The Stadium Business Awards in London, winning the Project of the Year award for 2018. The project also earned the highest honour at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 WA Architecture Awards, winning the prestigious George Temple Poole Award. The stadium also received three named awards at the event: the Jeffrey Howlett Award for Public Architecture, the Wallace Greenham Award for Sustainable Architecture and the Mondoluce Lighting Award and the Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture. Designed by Hassell, Cox and HKS, the stadium’s architectural wall façade features
4000 square metres of precast panels manufactured by Western Australia-based precaster Delta Corporation. Some panels have a smooth surface, some have exposed aggregate and some have images etched into selected segments and sandblasted at varied depths. Integral colouring using pigments produced earthy tones and a saw tooth profile was achieved using custom moulds. Indigenous artwork was etched into the surface of the precast panels with graphic concrete. Delta worked in collaboration with National Precast Industry Partner and graphic concrete specialist, ramsetreid, to manufacture a surface relief that showcases the Nyoongar Aboriginal language and stories. At the centre of the sporting action are
