Introduction

Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

The swimming centre - one of the last works to come from the pen of the architect Harry Seidler - was presented with an IALD Award of Excellence in May 2008 for its highly effective lighting.

Architect:
Harry Seidler & Associates, Sydney

Lighting designer:
Steensen Varming, Sydney; Harry Seidler & Associates, Sydney

Photographer:
Dirk Meineke, Eric Sierins, Max Dupain + Associates; Adam Cavanagh

Place:
Sydney

Lighting solutions

ERCO Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Introduction Content

The remarkable architecture with its striking, curvaceous steel lattice girders stems from the design offices of Harry Seidler & Associates and represents one of the last designs penned by the late Harry Seidler. The Austrian-born Old Master of modern architecture died in Australia in 2006.

What form could speak more for an indoor swimming pool than a roof like a gigantic wave? In the Sydney suburb of Ultimo a swimming centre has been built that not only boasts a competition swimming pool but also features leisure facilities such as saunas and fitness rooms. It is named after Ian Thorpe, Australia?s five-time Olympic gold medallist.

ERCO Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Lighting solutions

Designed by the Steensen Varming design offices together with the architect, in May 2008 the lighting for the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre became the first Australian project to receive the coveted IALD Award of Excellence.

In making this award, the jury also paid tribute to the design approach Efficient visual comfort, whereby the designers used contemporary lighting tools such as the Parscoop ceiling washlights for metal halide lamps to actualise a bright and pleasant lighting atmosphere - for an extremely low power consumption of less than 10W/m². The holistic design augments the architecture, accommodates the user needs and also utilises natural light.

Products from the ERCO outdoor product range, like the Parscoop ceiling washlights, have already proven themselves in many pool projects. With their robust housings, modern lighting technology and long-life, economical lamps, they ensure long-term low running costs.

Factsheet

Address:
438 - 484 Harris Street, Cnr of William Henry Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
Australia

Email: admin.itac(at)ymca.org.au
Web: www.itac.org.au

Opening times:
Mon-Fri: 6am - 9pm
Sat, Sun & hols: 6am - 8pm

Total area: 4200m²
Construction costs: AUD 40m (almost £20m)
Span of roof girders: 52m

Architect: Harry Seidler and Associates, Sydney.
www.seidler.net.au

Lighting design: Harry Seidler and Associates, Sydney; Steensen Varming Consulting Engineers, Sydney.
www.steensenvarming.com.au

Lighting tools used

Parscoop
Introduction
Product overview

Guide

The Guide section provides thorough information on everything from the physical bases of lighting to suggested solutions for different lighting situations. The interactive knowledge modules vividly illustrate lighting solutions that are possible with this product range.