The design brief described a simple, functional building that four ‘throw’ sports of javelin, shot-put, discuss and hammer could train in, in subtropical Brisbane. The concept was an open, covered training facility that could enable, on average, an additional 32 training days per year for elite Olympic level athletes and para-athletes. The pavilion is the only known facility of its type in the southern hemisphere, and only one of several worldwide. It exists not only for current elite athletes and engaged sportsmen and women, but younger aspirational Olympic hopefuls destined for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The layout and section of the pavilion was determined to a great degree by the arcs, trajectories, and projections of these sports. Our challenge was to respect strict international competition requirements and fit these constraints into a corner of the QSAC campus. Early design concepts strived for carbon neutral for the building which was embraced by the client. The design involved significant input by the base building engineers, engineered fabric-skin designers, glue laminated timber designer and manufacturer, and the building contractor.

Photography by Angus Martin