Parramatta Aquatic Centre ETFE Skylights
Project Details
Location: Parramatta, NSW
Completion Date: September 2023
Size: 550sqm (ETFE) + 420 sqm (Shade Structure)
Fabric: ETFE - Novum & PVC - Serge Ferrai 502 (Lemon)
Client: Lipman
Photography: © Peter Bennetts / Martin Eddleston
The Parramatta Aquatic Centre ETFE skylights are designed to bring natural light into the indoor spaces of the architecturally unique leisure centre.
Designed by award-winning architecture firm Grimshaw, in partnership with Andrew Burges Architects (ABA) and McGregor Coxall as landscape architect, The PAC is a standout design that seamlessly combines modern architectural materials and forms within the natural landscape.
The Brief
The Parramatta Aquatic Centre ETFE Skylights help to reinvent the traditional aquatic centre open-area layout. Located within Parramatta Park, the architectural goal was to create a new community recreational space that only minimally disrupted the surrounding area by building the centre within the parkland topography, thus retaining and celebrating the heritage landscaping and vistas.
The PAC features an Olympic sized 50-metre outdoor pool with shaded seating areas; plus an indoor 25-metre recreational pool; an indoor Learn-to-Swim pool and an indoor water playground. The indoor pools are buried within the hillside, reducing the overall constructed footprint of the centre. To bring natural light into the indoor swim zones, a series of triple-layer air-filled ETFE cushions have been designed.
The Concept
MakMax worked with the main contractor, Lipman, to design and fabricate the ten different TensoSky ETFE pillows and our project team worked with our specialist ETFE membrane installation partner, Sky Skills.
The Materials
Three variations of the MakMax TensoSky ETFE system were developed for the Parramatta Aquatic Centre ETFE Skylights project. Each installation features triple-layer ETFE, ensuring optimal light transmission and solar control, while the air-filled chambers of the ETFE cushions provide insulation during the cooler months helping to achieve the desired U-Values for the building.
- 25m Indoor Lap Pool – Four rectangular ETFE cushions (26m x 4m).
Triple layer ETFE; transparent bottom layer (200µm), transparent middle layer (100µm), top layer clear with 16:50 medium frit pattern (200µm). - Learn To Swim Pool – Two rectangular ETFE cushions (13.5m x 3.2m).
Triple layer ETFE; transparent bottom layer (200µm), transparent middle layer (100µm), top layer clear with 16:50 medium frit pattern (200µm). - Leisure Pool – Four pentadecagon (circular) ETFE cushions (various diameter).
Triple layer ETFE; transparent bottom layer (200µm), transparent middle layer (100µm), top layer clear with 16:50 medium frit pattern (200µm).
The ten various ETFE air-filled pillows are kept inflated by a low-pressure air system, fed by two inflation units located in the aquatic centre’s plant rooms. Each unit has two independent fans providing redundancies securing constant air supply for the ETFE cushions.
In addition to the ETFE skylights, MakMax Australia also designed and installed a 50m long shade structure over the spectator area along the length of the central outdoor pool. Covered in bright Lemon coloured PVC, the outdoor shade structure provides a weather protected seated area.
The Result
The innovative Parramatta Aquatic Centre ETFE Skylights and shading structure enhances The PAC experience, providing an inviting, naturally lit space that harmoniously blends with the unique architectural creation.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Sameer Pandey said: “Parramatta Aquatic Centre has been thoughtfully designed with the community in mind. The architects have done a wonderful job creating a space that the people of Parramatta, and greater Sydney, can enjoy for generations to come. This is more than just a pool – it’s a place where the community can swim laps in the pool, work out in the gym, relax in the spa, steam and sauna or simply enjoy a coffee in the café. A lot of memories will be made here – of local kids swimming their first lap, of families splashing around together on a long, hot summer day. I can’t wait to open the doors, I think the community will be really impressed when they see and experience Parramatta Aquatic Centre.”
