Many Olympic pools of the past have been designed for the sole purpose of the games and only the games without consideration of the afterlife of the site. This Olympic Pool in Parramatta City is designed to minimise the building’s intrusion to the existing views from the nearby apartments and to frame certain moments for a memorable architectural experience. The site features a full sized 50x25m Olympic Pool and a smaller 25x25m multi-use pool where the depth can be adapted to suit diving, water polo and children’s activities which will consequently create a space which will be frequented by the public long after the Olympic Games.
The greenery of Mays Hill Park impacted by the placement of the pool is restored in the form of a green roof over the building creating a seamless imposition to the view of the city and parkland from the residential apartments. By aligning the building parallel to the contours of the site, it allows the building to blend into the fall of the site, flowing outwards and into the Centenary Square at the heart of Parramatta City.
In mapping of the building heights in Parramatta, a majority of the buildings in view from the chosen site face towards the east. This eastern facing view of the skyline frames the view of the sunrise through its glass walls whilst the infinity edge of the pool creates a coastal experience within suburban Sydney.
