MARRYING RESPECT FOR HISTORY WITH SENSE OF IDENTITY
SYDNEY SWANS HEADQUARTERS IN SYDNEY, NSW
Led by Populous, Sydney’s renowned Royal Hall of Industries (RHI) has undergone a remarkable transformation into the Sydney Swans Headquarters (HQ). The world-class, high performance training facility and community hub has been retrofitted into the iconic heritage hall through a fit-out which both preserves and embraces the original character of the 110-year-old federation building. The entire facility is designed to benefit and serve the wider Sydney community with outreach programs instigated to collaborate with community groups, schools, charities, and local sporting organisations to maximise the facilities usage throughout the year. Located within the heart of Sydney’s sports precinct on Gadigal and Bidiagal land, Sydney Swans HQ was officially opened on 28 June 2023, the year of the Sydney Swans’ 150th anniversary. A necessary pillar to establish a Sydney Swans women’s team, the new Sydney Swans HQ provides elite training facilities for both the men’s and women’s programs, as well as the QBE Syd ney Swans Academy which provides an elite pathway program for 700 boys and girls across New South Wales. Also included in the facility is a brand-new multi-sports court development located in the traditional southern courtyard. Due to existing site conditions and the heritage nature of the roof and facade, sensitive construction techniques had to be employed to limit the impact of the new works on the existing shell. As part of the construction certificate conditions, the ar chitectural, engineering, and construction team had to demonstrate how all works undertaken as part of the fit-out would be reversible in the future to restore the building to its original state at the end of lease.
Architects Populous www.populous.com
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Location Sydney, Australia
Author Populous
Client / operator Sydney Swans
Photos Scott Burrows
Official opening 2023 Construction costs AUD 70 million (EUR 42.4 million) sb 1/2024