Embedded in the heart of Melbourne’s urban sports precinct, the Margaret Court Arena redevelopment project embraces its context with framed views across the city, the Yarra River and adjacent parklands, along with the brace of outdoor tennis courts that comprise Flinders Park. Margaret Court Arena has been built over the substructure of an existing tennis court and stands and extended in size by 1500 seats to form a new, encircling public concourse. Its striking folded copper roof hints at the opening mechanism of the world’s fastest retractable roof at its centre. The architects have successfully addressed the technical challenges of a combined sport and performance venue. At the same time, they have also recognized the important role that procession and gathering play in the experience of a public event.
Read the project review by Maitiú Ward from Architecture Australia May/June 2015.