Some of you may have glimpsed the beginnings of the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (MRS), currently under construction on Edwin Flack Field in the Olympic Park precinct.

This is a “bold move forward for sports architecture in Victoria”, say Cox Architects, who have collaborated on the project with engineers Arup and Norman Disney and Young.

The opening of this world class event and sports complex is just around the corner, scheduled for completion in early 2010.

Both aesthetic and sustainable the stadium takes the form of a bioframe dome with a lightweight steel structure which uses 50% less steel than the average cantilever roof.  

The structure encompasses a combination of glass, metal and louvers, utilising recycled building material where appropriate.

A feature of the design lies in its illuminative qualities; the stadium roof is covered with thousands of LED lights that light up the Melbourne skyline by night.

The LED lights will use around one tenth of the power required to floodlight the stadium while highlighting its sculptural design.

Cox Architects describe the stadium as a “unique and dynamic form that is innovative and memorable ”.

The complex will be home to the Melbourne Victory and Storm soccer and rugby teams, providing them with an outstanding training, sports and medicine complex.

Despite being mid-construction, the MRS has already been named the winner of the international Bentley Award, recognised for excellence in parametric modelling for structures.

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Architect   
Cox Architects and Planners
cox.com.au

Builder
Grocon

Client    
Sport and Recreation Victoria (Department of Planning and Community Development)

Project Management   
Major Projects Victoria
majorprojects.vic.gov.au