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Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Grimshaw / Sydney, Australia

The winning design for the aquatic centre was chosen from a shortlist of four exceptional entries following a high-calibre international Design Excellence Competition. The contemporary aquatic centre will meet the current and future needs of Parramatta’s rapidly growing population. With more than a million visitors expected to use this facility each year, the new aquatic centre will be used for swimming carnivals, training and competition, and offer essential learn to swim programs.

The venue, by Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects and McGregor Coxall, will be a place to relax and cool off in the summer months and provide a range of additional health and wellness offerings all year round. The design of the aquatic leisure centre, which was informed by extensive community consultation, will feature a 10-lane 50m outdoor pool; 25m indoor pool; learn-to-swim facilities; café; fitness centre and parking facilities.

 

Year

2023

Site Area

1.44 ha

Services

  • Recreation

Collaborators

  • Parramatta City Council
  • Andrew Burges Architects (ABA)
  • Grimshaw
  • Stantec

Awards

  • 2024 World Architecture Festival - Completed Buildings: Sport
  • 2024 Holdmark Innovation Award - Commendation - Powerhouse
  • 2024 Urban Design Award - Australian Institute of Architects, NSW
  • 2024 Sulman Medal for Public Architecture - Australian Institute of Architects, NSW
  • 2024 In Gratitude - Contribution to the delivery of the Parramatta Aquatic Centre - Parramatta Council
  • 2024 Good Design Awards, Architectural Design – Parramatta Aquatic Centre
A black and white portrait of Nadia Greatbatch, a woman with wavy, shoulder-length hair. She is wearing a textured black top, a leather jacket, and a pendant necklace. She stands against a plain background, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
Talk to Nadia Greatbatch about Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre
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A minimalist map illustration of Parramatta featuring green spaces, a river, paths, and various zones marked in different shades. The map highlights sections with blue, yellow, and orange overlays, possibly indicating aquatic areas or leisure zones within the larger park or landscape.
A triangular landscape design proposal for the Aquatic Leisure Centre in Parramatta, featuring green spaces, walking paths, and a centrally located pool area. The side panel showcases various native plant species, with small square images of each plant type.
A detailed map of Parramatta Park with various features, including a winding river, grassy areas, walking trails, dense tree groves, sports fields, playgrounds, and buildings. The map includes a legend in the bottom-right corner detailing the leisure park's aquatic features and their locations.
A design plan for the Parramatta Aquatic Leisure Centre outlines six guiding design principles with corresponding diagrams. These principles include green spaces, pedestrian access, open space views, connection to existing fields, building geometry, and site axis and entry.
A conceptual architectural rendering of a landscape design in Parramatta features a gently sloping hill covered with grass and trees. Embedded within the hill is a circular pathway, possibly a walking or cycling path, leading to an Aquatic Leisure Centre. Trees are sparsely rendered in the background.
Aerial view of Parramatta Aquatic Centre with a background of the Parramatta skyline.
Parramatta Aquatic Centre
Aerial view of Parramatta's circular aquatic center with a central swimming pool, sunlit yellow lane dividers, surrounding sunbathing areas with yellow umbrellas, adjacent tennis courts at the leisure centre, a parking lot, and lush greenery. Nearby roads and trees are visible.
An outdoor swimming pool with several aquatic lanes, surrounded by a modern concrete structure and lounge chairs with yellow umbrellas. Trees are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky, creating a perfect setting for Parramatta's premier leisure centre.
An outdoor swimming pool with colored lane markers in the foreground. Behind the pool at the Parramatta Leisure Centre are several yellow umbrellas and lounge chairs on a lawn. In the background, there is a modern building surrounded by trees. The sky is overcast.
A modern outdoor area with curved pathways, wooden platforms, and small trees in Parramatta. This leisure centre includes shaded seating areas with tables and chairs. The landscape is enhanced by a backdrop of sleek buildings, a partly cloudy sky, and nearby aquatic features.
A rooftop swimming pool with lane dividers, surrounded by yellow umbrellas and lounge chairs, is pictured on a clear day. In the background, Parramatta's skyline of tall city buildings is visible against a blue sky with scattered clouds, offering an aquatic oasis amidst the urban landscape.
The image shows a modern leisure centre in Parramatta with a curved glass facade and wooden walls. In the foreground, there's an outdoor sitting area with green chairs and tables on a wooden platform surrounded by lush greenery. The sky is clear and blue, creating a serene atmosphere.
A modern architectural structure with curved, open-air walkways, featuring metal railings and a rooftop garden with sparse vegetation. The backdrop includes tall city buildings and a clear sky, indicating an urban setting. This picturesque scene is part of the Parramatta Aquatic Leisure Centre.
A modern outdoor staircase with metal railings leads up to a structure with a distinctive stone facade, reminiscent of the sleek design seen at Parramatta's Leisure Centre. A young tree stands to the left, casting a shadow on the stone wall under a clear blue sky.
A man and a woman sit at a table in a circular outdoor space with high brick walls and a clear blue sky above. The area, reminiscent of Parramatta's Leisure Centre, is shaded, with a small tree growing in the center, surrounded by additional tables and chairs. The atmosphere is calm and minimalist.
A modern outdoor public swimming pool area with yellow parasols and lounge chairs is visible at the Parramatta Leisure Centre. Above the pool, an elevated walkway curves through the scene. Trees and a few high-rise buildings can be seen in the background under a clear blue sky.

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