Rubner Holzbau designed a timber structure for the grandstand at the new Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney. Working in collaboration with DWP (Architects) and Northrop (Structural Engineers), Theca Timber and Rubner joined the design team at a very early stage, supporting strategic design choices with their experience and manufacturing techniques, and pushing the boundaries of what has been achieved in Australia in terms of timber sports infrastructure.
Located in Granville Park, west of Sydney, the Eric Tweedale Stadium project comprised the construction of a new grandstand for 750 spectators with change rooms, multipurpose room, office, amenities, community function room, canteen, kitchen and a covered viewing deck.
Home to the Two Blues Rugby Union Club, the stadium will be visited by thousands of sports fans during rugby season.
Considered a benchmark for sustainable construction, the $11.3 million stadium features a glulam timber structure designed and fabricated by Rubner Holzbau, forming part of the grandstand and cantilevering for over 8 metres on top of the seating to provide shelter from the weather as well as solar shade cover. The entire roof along with the supporting structure was prefabricated and segmented for transport by containers to the site.
Completed in 2021, Eric Tweedale Stadium – the first outdoor stadium with a timber superstructure – won top honours at the 2021 Timber Design Awards. “The timber is the hero of this project, and it shows how good a timber structure can be in a public space when handled properly by the designers,” the jury panel commented.
In addition to the overall Award for Timber Design, the project also won in the Commercial and Public Buildings as well as Excellence in Engineering categories.
