AAMI PARK

by COX Architects & Planners

Melbourne, Australia. 2007-2010
CONTENT PAGE
About the Architect
About the Building
Technical Drawings
Material + Function
Load Distribution
Construction Method
Modelling Process
Analysis
Conclusion
Reference
1 - 2
3 - 4
5 - 10
11
12
13 - 14
15 - 30
31 - 32
33
34
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PROFESSOR PHILIP SUTTON COX
Born in New South Wales, Australia. 1 October 1939.
Education
Gordon Public School
Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore)
University of Sydney, bachelor of architecture
University of New South Wales, doctorate of science
Career
Commenced first architecture practice with McKay 1963 - 1966
Founded his own architecture practice, Philip Cox and Associates 1967
(Present company name: Cox Architecture and Partners)
Achievements
Bachelor of Architecture 1957 - 1962
Founder of Cox Architects and Planners 1967
Doctorate of Science 1970 - 1975
Works
City Library, Melbourne College Chapel, Melbourne, Australia. 1987
Sydney Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia. 1988
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia. 1988
National Maritime Museum, Sydney, Australia. 1991
National Wine Centre, Adelaide, Australia. 2001
National Institute of Circus Art, Melbourne, Australia. 2005
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2005
Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany, Australia. 2010
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia. 2010
Helix Bridge, Marina Bay, Singapore. 2010
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Location
Edwin Flack Field, Olympic Boulevard, inner
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Construction
2007-2010
Opened
7 May 2010
Owner
Government of Victoria
Operator
Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust
Construction cost
AUS$268 million
Architect
Cox Architects and Planners
Capacity
Total: 30,050 ; Super Rugby: 29,500
Executive suites
24
Field size
136 x 85m[4]
Tenants
Melbourne Storm (NRL) 2010
Melbourne Heart (A-League) 2010
Melbourne Victory (A-League) 2010
Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby) 2011
Victoria Maidens (LFL Australia) 2013
AFC Asian Cup 2015
The stadium features a Bioframe design, with a geodesic dome roof covering much of the seating area, while still allowing light through to
the pitch. The design is free from pillars, walls or other support structures, enabling spectators to enjoy unobstructed views. This design
required 50 per cent less steel than a typical stadium roof of the same size. The exterior of the stadium is covered in thousands of LED
lights which can be programmed to display a variety of patterns and images. The venue also includes facilities such as 24 18-seat corporate
boxes plus external seating, a 1000-capacity dining room, 14 bars, an elite training centre, gymnasium, lap pool and office space for tenant
clubs. There are two video screens situated in opposite corners while the pitch measures 136 x 82 metres.
The stadium was initially proposed to have a seating capacity of 20,000, upgradeable to 25,000. These plans were revised after the Victory
refused to commit to playing at a stadium of such small capacity, having achieved an average attendance of over 27,000 since their move
to the Docklands Stadium in the 2006-2007 A-League Season.
Alternative plans put forward by the Victorian Government proposed a capacity of 30,050, on the condition that the Victory sign on as a
tenant. To assist with the extended capacity, temporary stands can be erected behind the goals during soccer matches and removed during
rugby league and union games so as to allow space for the in-goal area. The stadium was built with foundations to allow for future ex-
pansion to 50,000. The roof, however, was not designed with this in mind, and so the stadium cannot be expanded without major construction
work.
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium/AAMI Park
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TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
Floor Plan
Scale 1 : 1500
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Site Plan
Scale 1 : 4000
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Roof Plan
Scale 1 : 1500
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West Elevation
Scale 1 : 1500
South Elevation
Scale 1 : 1500
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Section A-A
Scale 1 : 1500
Section B-B
Scale 1 : 1500
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MATERIAL AND FUNCTION
The roof structure of the building is made of steel, making up the bio-frame domes. Aluminium is used
in the framework of the entire building. The walls, columns, floor slabs and concrete bowl of the
stadium, which holds the seating, are made of concrete. Reinforced concrete is used in the load-bear-
ing structure which supports the entire stadium at the base. Laminated toughened glass is used for
the glass panels throughout roof and body of the stadium.
Steel Aluminium Concrete
Reinforced Concrete Laminated Toughened Glass
LOAD DISTRIBUTION
The load distribution of this surface structure are equal and stand-
ardized as all of the domes depend very much on each other for sup-
port and stability. The weight of the dome itself is then transferred
across the geodesic frames towards the groins in between the domes.
From there, weight is transferred to the reinforced concrete struc-
tures below and then carried to the ground.
This diagram shows the connec-
tion between the groins of the
domes. the domes will not be able
to support themselves without
the presence of this connection,
as it is an important part of the
load distribution system of the
domes.
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CONSTRUCTION METHOD
The construction method of the AAMI Park consists of several components :
- Foundation
- Seating
- Shell structure
The site surface geology comprised Quaternary Age alluvial deposits and the newer volcanic (basalt)
formations. As the rock was determined to be of good quality, the decision was made to support the
stadium on this rock, avoiding the need to penetrate the rock with long piles. A combination of pad
footings and bored piers were used to support the stadium structure.
The concrete seating tiers were cast off site, delivered and lifted into position by four tower cranes
and a mobile crane. The tiers were designed to fit into the cleats on the structural bowl steelwork.
The design, consisting of 20 individual (interconnected) shells provided some repetition to simplify the
construction process. Each of the four quadrants is symmetrical, allowing repetition of cladding panel
shapes and sizes. The stadium roof was designed to support and sandwich glass panels fixed directly to
the steel structure without the need for secondary steel framing. Shells were fabricated off site in
transportable sized sections, assembled and erected on site on a temporary support system. The panels
were lifted into position using cranes. Steelwork was fabricated off site. The triangular panels that
made up the cladding for the structure were fabricated on site and placed onto the roof shell and
bolted into place. The final phase of roof construction involved the installation of the guttering,
which sealed the roof and channelled the roof's rainwater run-off into an on-site storage site used
for pitch irrigations.
16 15
MODELLING PROCESS
First,the 3mm PVC pipe is experimented to make the perfect
seamless joint of the triangles on our building. In the end, we
have chosen the cutting method for a better adherence of the
PVC pipes.
Step 1
SURFACE STRUCTURE
Wires are inserted in the hollow core of the PVC pipe to in-
crease its strength and give weight to it so it is more stable.
The PVC pipes are then cut according to the respective angles
of adherence to make the frame of the structure.
Step 2
18 17
After the frames are done, the triangular frames are added one
by one, by using the same method. Measurements were taken and
the angles of triangles are measured as precisely as possible.
Step 3
I-Beams are bought and cut 0.1cm each to construct the beams
on each of the triangular frames. The I-Beams are then super
glued onto the frames for a better attachment. The entire
frame is then sprayed for a seamless finish.
Step 4
20 19
Panels for the frames are measured, cut and sprayed for a
flawless finish. Then, they are attached to the I-Beams individ-
ually to finish up the entire surface structure.
Step 5
The panels are adhered to the frames in a "scattered" concept
to show both the overall finish look and the frame structure
at the same time. This is the final outcome of the two surface
structure that we have managed to complete.
Step 6
22 21
After the surface structure is done, we proceeded with making
the seating area of the stadium, to show the relationship be-
tween the surface structure and the seating structure. Meaus-
rements are taken and a PVC board is used as the floor slabs
of the stadium.
Step 7
The seating area is then constructed with PVC board. Later,
stairs for the seating area are also added as part of the de-
tail for the stadium.
Step 8
24 23
After the seating area is finished, the interior structure of the
stadium is constructured with square PVC channels to form the
steel framing of the seating. Also, interior columns are added
as well to show the structure of the interior stadium.
Step 9
Later, the load bearing structures are constructed to show how
it supports the weight of the stadium and the surface struc-
tures.
Step 10
26 25
The surface structure and the seating area are attached to-
gether for a final finish.
Step 11
28 27
MODELLING PROCESS
DETAILS
A 3.4cm thick PVC pipe is used for the detail. They are cut and
adhered together with super glue, and then toy clay is added
to fill in the gaps while making the "welded metal" effect.
After that, the entire pipe is sprayed for an overall finished
look.
Step 1
Later, nuts and white modelling board are used to create the
detail of the joints on the frames. They are then attached to
the pipes.
Step 2
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After everything is attached and in place, it is then
sprayed for an even coating and a white metallic finish.
The detail is now complete!
Step 3
Final Model
32 31
ANALYSIS
Strengths:
The frame of the dome and the panels on it is white and is handled well, which made it very clean. It seems
seamless even when being looked at closely. Besides, we tried our best to make it as detailed as possible,
that the claddings of each panel is done, even when the measurement was as small as 0.1cm each.
We also decided to have a coat of spray paint throughout the shell of the model, such that it looks as
close to the actual material. Also, we decided to keep the interior white, which is actually concrete and
steel in actual building, so that the final model have focus on the surface structure instead of the other
minor support system.
Other than that, amount of work in each process of modelling is distributed equally, thus the final out-
come has a standardized workmanship throughout the model. Moreover, although the timeframe given to
complete the model was limited, but work was distributed evenly through the weeks and it is completed on
time.
Weaknesses:
Throughout this modelling process, many prob-
lems faced that could not be solved became our
weakness of the final outcome. Each triangle's
sizes differ from one another. None of any single
triangle has the exact same measurement with
another. One of the weakness of our outcome
is that the frame of the dome and size of each
triangle could not be achieved 100% accurately,
as everything is done manually.
Other than that, due to the problem faced men-
tioned above, panels could not be set up flat
on each frame that was created. Some panels
are lifted up from the frame, it could not be
attached onto the frame perfectly.
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CONCLUSION
At the end of this project, we have learned to work
better as a team. Teamwork is clearly important in
this project as it would not be possible to complete
the entire model as an individual. This project has
also brought seven of us closer together.
Other than that, we have learned more about sur-
face structure, how is it constructed and how it
can support the load of itself. Also, we were in-
troduced to various new modelling materials that
we wouldn't normally use in a model, such as pvc
pipes, toy clay and pvc boards.
Furthermore, other than construction methods, we
have also learned more about architectural design,
as to why it is built in such form, or why such ma-
terial is selected for construction use.
Finally, to further improve our model, laser cut-
ting would be a better choice because it has a more
precise and clean cut to minimize any error.
REFERENCES
State Governments Victoria. (NA). Major Projects
Victoria. [online] Available at: http://www.ma-
jorprojects.vic.gov.au/our-projects/our-past-pro-
jects/melbourne-rectangular-stadium [Accessed 12
june 2014]
Lightweight Structures Association of Australia.
(NA). AAMI Park Stadium Melbourne. [online] Avail-
able at: http://www.lsaa.org/index.php/projects/
stadiums/280-aami-park-stadium-melbourne [Ac-
cessed 10 June 2014]
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ALFRED LEE 0314703 CYNTHIA LEE SIAW WUN 0306112 DEIDRE ZHANG SHU-WEI 0304619
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