Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
Case Study3 min read
LOCATIONPerth, Australia
ArchitectHassell, Cox & HKS
The unique design - a collaboration between Hassell, Cox and HKS - called for a slim profile, thermal solution capable of meeting the limited space allocation while still delivering on the energy efficiency requirements of the project.
Subiaco Oval is as much a part of West Australian sporting folklore as Dennis Lillee’s chin music, the centimetre perfect AFL calls of favourite son Dennis Cometti or the gloriously dangerous surf breaks of Margaret River. Built in 1908, and primarily known as the spiritual home of state’s Australian Football League (AFL) teams, the stadium has also played host to such music icons as AC/DC, Paul McCartney, U2 and Pearl Jam, and this despite its famously poor acoustics.
As the state has come of age, the race has been on to ensure its capital city’s infrastructure kept pace. The highly anticipated Optus Stadium (originally named Perth Stadium) has long been considered a major part of the regeneration program. The stunning facility becomes the new home of AFL teams, the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles football clubs as the storied but tired Subiaco Oval turnstiles turned for the last time in 2017.
When it opened in January 2018, Optus Stadium became the third largest stadium in Australia and is capable of seating up to 70,000 people. The stadium was initially planned for construction in Subiaco to replace the iconic Oval but the location was later moved to the eastern suburb of Burswood. This allowed for a build that was unconstrained by surrounding developments, integrated well with the expansion of Perth’s public transport system, and gave easier access to the CBD. Whilst the stadium’s prime use is to host the AFL, it will also provide an additional venue for a number of other sporting events and music concerts.
The round stadium consists of tiered seating located above bars and restaurants in the levels below.
“We wanted to design an alternate installation system that would be aesthetically pleasing and would not detract from the beauty of the design, but retained the thermal performance requirements of the project”, explained Technical Services Manager, Killian Smith.
Kingspan’s Kooltherm® K10 Soffit Board was the perfect choice.
Its slim profile and thermal performance allowed it to fit into the enclosed soffit areas, but still deliver compliance with the thermal requirements of the building. Where the insulation was exposed, Kingspan’s Kooltherm® K10W White Soffit Board was used to offer a more aesthetically pleasing result.
The two boards offer similar thermal properties and performance was not compromised as a result.
“We presented a number of installation options for the build. In the end, Kingspan and the contractors at Cubic Group settled on a unique bracket system for the application”, added Smith.
The 42,000m2 of Kingspan’s Kooltherm K10 G2 Soffit Board and Kooltherm K10 G2W White Soffit Board were specified for their fast installation, third-party compliance certification and their ability to meet the insurance requirements needed for the high profile project.
Over 2,000m2 of Kingspan KoolDuct was used to create lightweight cushion heads and plenum boxes for the stadium’s HVAC system. KoolDuct also sees it lining the ice troughs in the facility’s bars and restaurants.
The facility’s bronze façade is made of anodised aluminium and reflects the state’s unique geology. LED lighting to show the home-team colours is woven through the structure and is a testament to the “fan first” approach.
“Wherever you find marquee projects, you are sure to find our products. Optus Stadium has given the city of Perth a truly world class venue and we are proud to be such a major part of it", concluded the Kingspan Technical Services Manager.
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