Adelaide Aquatic Centre Development
The new Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka - Place of Water) is guided by principles of inclusivity, community, and environmental rejuvenation. The project’s core philosophy is to create a landscape within a landscape; a destination that fosters participation and wellness, while connecting communities and enhancing the Adelaide Park Lands as a social and cultural heart. The Centre, delivered for the South Australian Government, offers a wide range of programs and services that are multi-generational and seeks to create experiences and engagement, inspired by water and nature. The design response respects the cultural and heritage value of the Park Lands setting through a regenerative approach and commitment to operational optimisation.
The collaboration with Warren and Mahoney and Karl Winda Telfer as design partners, ensures that the Centre is of its place, embedding story, identity, and the presence of water in all aspects of the design. Guided by the cultural narrative of land, sea and sky, the material palette and architectural forms are always in dialogue with its surrounding landscape. The Centre is sited to respect National Heritage guidelines and seeks to nestle into the park, maintaining a clear delineation between city and park. The building in the round responds to its context, existing movement networks, and the broader precinct. The landscape blurs boundaries, prioritising amenity and celebrating a sense of play, whilst increasing biodiversity.
Diverse programs and services, including rehabilitation and lap swimming, club sports, fitness and wellbeing facilities, are designed for multi-programming. Social spaces include a café, water play areas, waterslides, lagoon pool and an inclusive amenities village model. The design resolves complex user group needs through careful mapping of movement patterns and destinations, ensuring functional performance.
Sustainability is central to the project. The all-electric building features a timber structure and ceilings, an airtight facade, solar panels, sun shading and water-sensitive urban design. The landscape strategy emphasizes endemic species, biodiversity corridors, and inclusive amenity. The design returns 1000m2 of Park Lands. The design outcome is responsive to stakeholder and community feedback, creating a welcoming place for all, providing a benchmark contemporary sports and wellness hub, with flexible and future focused functionality.
