The Australian Open is one of four international Grand Slam tennis tournaments and a major event for Victoria. To ensure its status as one of the world’s leading sporting events, the Victorian Government has funded a $366 million redevelopment over recent years. This included the redevelopment of Margaret Court Arena (MCA), a project that won Aurecon an Australian Engineering Excellence Award at last year’s Victorian awards.
Project Director, Mark Sheldon FIEAust CPEng NER discusses the original project and the recent upgrades to enhance the broadcasting of the 2017 competition.
What was the project brief?
To transform MCA from a single-use outdoor tennis court into a year-round multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue with an operable roof.
Major Projects Victoria appointed Aurecon to provide the design services for the project, together with joint venture architects NH Architecture and Populous.
MCA had to sit comfortably below the roofline of the abutting Rod Laver Arena, whilst still providing a 17 metre clearance above the court, necessitating a ‘slim line’ roof structure. The impact of any new structure could not adversely affect the existing facilities, including the suspended concourse and Show Court 2.
The result was a multi-purpose arena with over 7,000 seats suitable for tennis, basketball, netball and concert events.
What is the biggest feature of the project?
The crowning feature is the sleek operable roof with minimal structural depth, which can be opened or closed in around four minutes.
How did you achieve this?
The solution, developed in conjunction with the architects, was two slim operable roof panels measuring approximately 57m x 32m, with the trailing edge of each panel supported by the fixed roof via a series of seven ‘mini bogies’.
Our design achieved a straightline dimension of only 1.25m between the top of the operable roof panels and the top of the fixed roof, less than one quarter of the depth of the Perth Arena roof –previously the thinnest operable roof structure in Australia.
A key to the success of the project was Aurecon’s ability to provide an integrated design. We provided all engineering services, meaning our building services team could coordinate spatial issues with our structural team in real time, enabling the slim roof design to be realised.
The slimline design was a first in Australia. Where do you expect this design to be used in the future?
Most other operable roofs are large engineered structures that say ‘look at me’. The design of MCA is much more integrated, and when the roof is closed, it is not evident that it can actually move.
To produce this look, every element of the moving mechanisms and controls were critiqued with a view to make it as compact as possible. This will be the new benchmark for what is possible on future projects.
What did completing the project achieve?
The transformation of MCA from an outdoor court to an indoor multi-purpose venue has given the Australian Open increased flexibility. It also makes the Open the only Grand Slam to boast three retractable-roofed stadiums, along with Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, and effectively ‘weatherproofs’ the event.
The versatility of the venue has also created a new entertainment space for Melbourne.
Melbourne & Olympic Parks and Tennis Australia have received a wealth of positive feedback from performers, players, spectators and broadcasters about the facility and are extremely pleased with the end result.
What are you working on now?
Aurecon has engineered all the large operable roofs in Australia, including Etihad Stadium, Hisense Arena, Perth Arena, and Margaret Court Arena, and we also did London’s Wembley Stadium. We are currently part of the team working on the redevelopment of Rod Laver Arena.
There is also a lot of interest in LED sports lighting from our clients.
Aurecon’s engineering teams are also working on the new western grandstand at Simonds Stadium, Geelong; the new Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta; and involved in the design of the Metro Sports Facility in Christchurch. There are a couple of others in the wings as well – watch this space!
Image: The Australian Open featuring the Margaret Court Arena upgrade, courtesy of Aurecon.