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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility in Victoria, Australia by k20 ArchitectureOctober 19th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: k20 Architecture Designed to enhance the spectator’s experience and bring the viewer closer to the playing pitch, Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, Ballarat, Australia provides leading edge sporting and social facilities for elite A level as well as international level games. Completed in 2015 and designed as a series of stages that form part of a Master plan for the site, Stage 1 includes the BRSF building, a 2 star FIFA rated turf playing pitch and synthetic training ground. k20 Architecture also developed a masterplan for the site which will allow Council to continue to expand the facility in the future, and achieve their vision of a 10,000 seat stadium. The facility was recently selected as a finalist in the 2016 Sport, Recreation and Play Industry Innovation, Facility Design and Development Awards, finalist in the 2016 Australian Timber Design Awards Fitout Featuring Timber Cladding Category as well as a finalist in the 2016 BPN Sustainability Awards, Public Building Category.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture
 Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture The design concept emerged as a response to clients brief to provide a stadium for world-class soccer. With Ballarat’s rich cultural heritage in mind, the concept of the Eureka Stockade wall emerged as the leading design principle and enabled the facility to be built in segments and in stages as various funding streams became available over time. The Eureka rebellion, which is often referred to as the ‘Eureka Stockade’, is a key event in the development of Australian democracy and Australian identity. The Battle of the Eureka Stockade was fought between miners and the Colonial forces of Australia on 3 December 1854 and named for the stockade structure erected by miners during the conflict. The stockade itself was a makeshift wooden barricade enclosing about an acre of the goldfields.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture In contrast to the hastily constructed barricade, the stockade wall by k20 Architecture is designed to embrace the community and protect the building’s program and playing field from the prevailing winds and harsh western sun. The wall emerges from the landscape and is made up of equal proportions of grey ironbark, spotted gum and stringy bark. Its curvilinear form in plan is the starting point for the stadium which contains the grand stand with 500 seated capacity, conference and catering facility for 200 people, external viewing decks and players change rooms, media rooms, and sports administration facilities.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture In addition to the distinct and rugged outline of the Stockade wall, the BRSF building is characterised by distinct sectional cuts to the North and South accentuated by bold black skeletal forms and flashes of red in the eaves, the team colours of the host team the Ballarat Red Devils. The entry to the building allows a visitor to see into the heart of the club with the clubs honour wall and function rooms visible via the double height glazed entry.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture Additionally, the coach’s boxes were designed to be transparent with the grand stand elevated above the ground level to create a direct viewing line to the playing surface. The internal function rooms and catering facility also has important social and economic benefits to the club and broader community.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture The facility is unique in that it has been designed specifically for the soccer community of regional Victoria. As a result, k20 Architecture was able to customize the design to emulate the experience of a world standard soccer stadium. This is illustrated in the alignment of the primary player’s race to the centre line of the playing pitch, which enables players of all ages and standards to experience key aspects of playing on the “big stage”.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture Sustainable design innovations were intrinsically linked to the design of Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility. Passive solar design features include high-level extended eaves to reduce heat load on the building, double-glazing throughout and high levels of insulation. The west façade is protected from solar gain through ventilated façade and reduced glazing. The roof was designed for solar photovoltaic collector installation and for rainwater collection for toilet use. Natural ventilation is maximized via the inclusion of thermal chimneys providing stack effect cooling and natural ventilation to change rooms, and mixed mode heating and cooling through an under floor air-plenum to the first floor. k20 Architecture sourced recycled and local timber to assist with carbon sequestration, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture A high level of environmentally sustainable materials and fittings were incorporated and include low energy light fittings, reduced water use fittings and operation, low VOC paint, durable finishes for lower maintenance and longevity, carpet with 40% recycled content and end of life recyclability.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture Locally sourced and manufactured materials and components achieve approximately 80% of local content outcomes. The grandstand seating is made of recycled plastic while the timber is used from shading to external glazing. The grand stand was manufactured using off the shelf pre-built concrete construction planks. The project achieved an exemplar rating using the Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy STEPS scorecard.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture The project was designed in stages to provide an economic sustainable approach for construction to suit Client funding and provide a facility that generates an income for the club and Council for independent operation. Important stakeholder/community consultation was also undertaken to inform the design, promoting social sustainability through improved amenity and multipurpose function spaces for the Club and community use.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture Although it continues to evolve, with a master plan for future development still “in play”, the completion of Stage One of the BRSF provides a world-class home for soccer in the region. This was highlighted by its selection from a pool of national sports facilities to host Bahrain’s national soccer team in the 2015 Asian Cup. The building plays an important role in creating a link to the past with its Stockade wall whilst providing a valuable stimulus to the cultural, economic and social sustainability of the community.  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture  Image Courtesy © k20 Architecture
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