Architecture AND's shortlisted proposal for the City of Sydney’s $50M Green Square Aquatic Centre project reimagined the cherished urban element of the cricket fence to form a container for a new type of leisure facility. Traditionally, these fences separate spectator from participant. The proposal transformed this typology to create a continuous field of play where all are participants, lifting the ends of the fence to accommodate the primary structures. At low points, the structure has the intimacy of a fence, creating a unique scale relationship with the building.

The regularity of the landscape within the ring referenced the site history of market gardens, yielding a linear staggered grid of landscape.

Architecture AND congratulate the winning team of Andrew Burges Architects and Grimshaw and recognise the quality of the successful proposal.

Entry to the building is via a dramatic rectilinear cut, presenting the visitor with an axial view of artist Brook Andrew’s Weejal Ngalan, a sculpture incorporating the play pool waterslide.