2003.08 english park

football stadium including changing, offices and lounge

crispin schurr design architect at ccc

programme

  • demolition of existing outdoor banked velodrome

  • formation of football match field

  • internal lounge with bar

  • cafe and ablutions

  • changing areas, offices and gym

  • storage

  • 2.8ha park development

issues

  • poor pitch drainage

  • st albans creek is piped

  • entire site is concealed within solid sheet metal fencing

  • no through site linkage

  • 10,000m3 of fill requires removal from the old velodrome

  • intermittently occupied facilities prone to vandalism

  • universal access required

  • limited budget

solutions

  • new sculptural hill created to prevent need to remove fill from site

  • building ground floor buried one side in ground to remove solid facade prone to vandalism

  • hill attached to building on either side as embankments for overfloor seating

  • building oriented for protection from predominant wind

  • building located close to pitch to intensify atmosphere for small crowds

  • lounge glazing vertically sliding to open completely during games

  • northwest facing glazing used for passive solar heat games

  • ramped access to public areas removes need for lift

  • creek is daylit and naturalised

  • through site connection created along school boundary

  • transparent quality metal rod fencing used to enclose pitch

  • multi-use carpark with school access / play space and swale water treatment

  • high quality pitch construction and drainage

status

  • completed

awards

  • civic trust award

  • nzia local architecture award

Modern building with large glass windows on a hill, surrounded by grass and ornamental grasses, with a clear sky in the background.
Empty outdoor auditorium with green seats and a modern building with an overhanging roof.
Exterior view of a modern building with large glass windows, orange architectural canopies, and white supporting columns, with ornamental grasses in the landscaping.
Interior view of a building entrance with open wooden doors, concrete and glass walls, and an illuminated green 'EXIT' sign
Empty sports stadium with green seating, a grass field, and a modern building with large glass windows and a curved roof in the background under a clear blue sky.