Shore School Pool ETFE Skylight
Project Details
Location: Sydney, NSW
Completion Date: 2019
Size: 600 sqm
Fabric: ETFE
Client: FDC Construction
Photography: © Fretwell Photography
The Shore Physical Education Centre (SPEC) was built to deliver a suite of new flexible learning spaces including a multi-purpose sports complex and an indoor swimming pool. The Shore School Pool ETFE Skylight is created with 16 pillow, 3-layer ETFE skylights in the indoor swimming pool roof, designed to fill the indoor aquatic centre with natural lighting, while also providing a modern, highly aesthetic architectural feature to the roof.
The Brief
Designed by Cox Architecture, the Shore Physical Education Centre (SPEC) was built to deliver a suite of new flexible learning spaces including a multi-purpose sports complex and an indoor swimming pool. The Shore School Pool ETFE Skylight was a key part of the indoor swimming pool roof, designed to provide natural lighting to the aquatic space while providing an architectural feature to the roof.
The Concept
The ETFE skylights had to interface with the surrounding Kingspan roof. MakMax worked closely with the project Architect, Structural Engineer and Builder to develop design details that allowed the two elements to seamlessly connect. Hiding of ductwork and the air supply plenum was important to the overall finish and MakMax proposed painting the air supply lines to match the internal fascia and keeping the ductwork hidden adjacent to structural elements.
The Materials
A three-layer ETFE foil application for the skylights was proposed to meet the U-value thermal performance specified in the façade requirements for the project. A high light translucency was also desired, so all three layers were fabricated with a clear ETFE film without a printed frit. The material chosen was Fluon ETFE Film by the Japanese manufacturer AGC. The material thickness was 200 microns for the top and bottom layers and 100 microns for the middle layer.
The ETFE cushions are kept inflated with a Elnic pressure control system, capable of supplying up to 1400m3/h of pressurised air. The air-blower unit includes 2 independent running fans for redundancy, adsorption dryers (dehumidifier), and an air-intake filtration system.
The Result
The completed Shore School Pool ETFE Skylight has provide multiple benefits, allowing healthy, natural sunlight into the indoor pool hall, as well as providing a high-end quality aesthetic finish to the swimming area. Internally the skylights are sympathetic to the remainder of the space, unobtrusive and accentuating other features. Externally the cushions provide additional form to the roof and an eye-catching statement for the exterior roof.
The Shore School Pool ETFE Skylight was won the Medium Structures High Commendation at the 2022 LSAA Design Awards.
