Neeson Murcutt Architects, with the City of Sydney, have embedded a new 1000m2 pool facilities building into a reinvigorated Victorian park setting at the edge of central Sydney. The new building incorporates the best in sustainable practices and is physically embedded into the park landscape under a green roof of native ‘meadow’ grasses by Sue Barnsley.

The green roof is the biggest of its kind in Sydney, and provides insulation whilst continually transpiring, oxygenating the city, cooling & humidifying the site, and sequestering carbon. A pool cover retains heat and prevents the contamination of water.

The upgraded pool is the city’s first that is fully trigeneration ready, incorporating the sustainable design principle of energy efficiency into and beyond the needs of the project. It is a benchmark project providing a direct benefit to city residents whilst showcasing complex ESD measures integrated with contemporary state-of-the-art design.

Key initiatives:

  • ‘trigeneration ready’ flexible plant room
  • gas boilers for pool heating
  • efficient gas hot water heaters
  • metering of energy consumption to identify areas for improvement
  • Building Management System which allows Council to monitor operations and make appropriate changes to continually lower emissions
  • UFF filtration saving up to 87% water in backwashing
  • myrtha lining to extend the life of pool and reduce chemicals
  • water meters to monitor consumption and identify leaks
  • three star rated showerheads, taps and flushing toilets
  • waterless urinals
  • water meters to monitor consumption and identify leaks
  • efficient mixed mode air conditioning with fans
  • natural ventilation to change rooms
  • daylight access to buildings via high level openings
  • white tiles reflect sunlight into interiors
  • T5 and LED lights
  • sensor activated lights
  • window shading to prevent glare and heat gain
  • light zoning
  • moisture sensors to reduce irrigation
  • stormwater harvesting to supply irrigation and toilets
  • recycled construction materials
  • timber products from sustainable forests
  • bike parking
  • environmental messages through signage

Photography by Brett Boardman