Arresting curves dominate the large multi-purpose sports hall at Abbotsleigh School for Girls, Wahroonga, NSW. SUPAWOOD’s SUPACOUSTIC acoustic panels line the interior and SUPALINE smooth panels feature strongly on the exterior.

Reminiscent of their international award winning Milson Island Recreation Hall, Architects AJ+C have drawn from this successful design and at Abbotsleigh implemented the concept on a vast scale. They have created a unique sporting facility, which finds its place within a long-established school environment by using materials and finishes to harmonise with the surrounding bushland setting.

Having worked closely with Supawood on the Milson Island project, AJ+C again chose SUPAWOOD for their expertise in supplying curved and acoustic linings in large quantities to a short timeframe while maintaining consistent quality.

The roofline of the building forms a wide eave down either side, which concludes in a sweeping curve following the curved line of the southern end of the building. Here SUPALINE in external grade Hoop Pine Plywood and finished with clear Wet Seal has been used to line the eaves perfectly curved to suit and the natural timber finish reflects the timber used throughout the interior of the main hall. At the other end of the building the wide eaves wrap around and extend into a shelter roof for the grandstand seating, the SUPALINE plywood again lining the underneath.

Within the main hall the entire ceiling between the large support trusses has been lined with SUPACOUSTIC slotted acoustic panels in durable but affordable SUPAFINISH Fusion Maple concept veneer. At the southern end of the building the internal panelling is curved to and sweeps down the curved wall interrupted intermittently at the bottom by windows. Throughout this interior the acoustic panels ensure noise reverberation is kept to a minimum in what otherwise would have been an extremely noisy environment.

On selected wall areas to add protection and reflect natural light, SUPACOUSTIC slotted panels in SUPAFINISH White have been used to help define the area of the basketball courts.

All internal panels have a fire retardant MDF substrate. In total over 3,000m² panels were supplied and installed.

Because of SUPAWOOD’S ability to achieve very short lead times from the finalisation of site measurements to delivery, Auzoom Plastering, the recommended installers, were able to completely finish their works well ahead of other adjacent trades.

This project illustrates how the use of SUPAWOOD lining solutions can aid designers to successfully achieve their clients’ brief and bring a modern, unique building to life on schedule and to the highest expectations.

Photos © Tyrone Branigan Productions