“The brief for a simple recreation hall has been transformed, almost by alchemy, into a translucent and reflective light-box that responds to changing weather patterns, seasons and time of day, both inside and out.”

Jury comments, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Commendation for Public Architecture 2007

The Allen Jack+Cottier design team researched at length the right material to create an indoor sports hall that would not require artificial lighting by day. For a recreational centre that would be in regular public use, the concept of a glass house with examples like the London Crystal Palace (designed by Joseph Paxton in 1851), though inspiring, did not offer practical climate control within.

The team successfully tested a heat stop cellular polycarbonate sheeting on the roof and walls – a material that transfers only the smallest amount of solar heat and still meets budget constraints. Fresh air introduced through low-level louvres and high-level wind turbines cools and ventilates the building. At dusk, the translucent surface of the sports hall reflects the setting sun, and at night, when the building transforms into a theatre, it glows like a lantern in the landscape.

Date	2005
Client	NSW Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation
Cost	A$2.5 million
GFA	1050 m²

2007	Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Commendation for Sustainable Architecture

2007	Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Commendation for Sustainable Architecture

2007	Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture

2007	Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture

2007	Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Commendation for Public Architecture

2007	Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Commendation for Public Architecture