wT    Water Table

PROJECT DATA

TYPE	PUBLIC SPACE, AQUATIC CENTRE, GYNAMSIUM, LANDSCAPE
LOCATION	GREENSQUARE, SYDNEY, NSW AUSTRALIA
CLIENT	CITY OF SYDNEY DESIGN COMPETITION
DATE	2014
TEAM	IAIN MAXWELL DAVE PIGRAM OLIVER BENNETT
IMAGES	TOM CHAN                         OLIVER BENNETT

Water Table

Green Square, Sydney, NSW, Au

An expanded public domain made possible by lifting the pool and gymnasium above the ground to the benefit of all. 

From its iconic harbour setting to its spectacular beaches, Sydney is defined by its relationship to water. A distributed network of beaches, pools and baths (Icebergs, Wiley’s, Andrew Boy Charlton, Price Alfred...), parkland reserves and walking tracks underpinning the quintessential Sydney lifestyle. As the city continues to re-centre towards the west, away from the coastline, what is the future experience of bathing in Sydney?

Horizontally deploying the Aquatic Centre brief across the site - Guyama Park - reveals a dichotomy: Build a pool or make a park? Instead, by consolidating the pools and fitness centre - via lifting and stacking - the park is liberated and significantly expanded, creating the opportunity to provide additional community amenity. No longer impeded, the park is free to flow across, through and under the Aquatic Centre providing a diverse and inclusive sequence of water-play, fitness and recreational experiences. Water Table activates and supports but does not totalise the park. Lifting the 50m pool affords a unique swimming and fitness experience and a sun deck endowed with uninterrupted views of the park while simultaneously providing a unique response to the practical concerns of safety, barrier-free design and ticketing. No pool fences!

This is a generous project: preserving ground level transparency, providing passive surveillance to an activated park and enhancing views from surrounding buildings, but above all Water Table creates a memorable place enhancing Sydney’s famously active lifestyle.