Eric Tweedale Stadium
An award for sporting achievement
Location:
Cumberland, Sydney, Australia
Building owner:
Cumberland City Council
Architecture:
Dwp
Design of load-bearing structures:
Northrop Consulting Engineer
Client:
Belmadar
Dimensions:
185 m³ legno lamellare, 17 m³ pannelli universali di copertura
The project concept arose from the desire to connect the structure of the sports facility both with its surroundings and with the history of the Cumberland Plains: once a largely forested area, it was home to several clans of the indigenous Darug people, whose culture requires individuals to care for the place where they were born. The Eric Tweedale Stadium ultimately won first prize in the 2021 Australian Timber Design Awards.
“The jury was particularly impressed by the warmth and radiance created by the glulam with its warm, natural light. The homage paid to the site’s historic and environmental heritage, its design and the complex technical and sustainable features all make the Eric Tweedale Stadium an incredibly valuable asset for the local community and a magnificent facility.”
Gianluigi Traetta, Rubner
Home to the Two Blues Rugby Union Club, the Eric Tweedale Stadium is located in Granville Park in the town of Cumberland, near Sydney. Built almost entirely of glulam, it includes a 760-seat stand; multi-purpose concourses; a kiosk; a renovated parking area; and the rugby pitch itself. The stadium is distinguished by its massive timber canopy, with one of the largest discontinuous overhangs to be found in Australia. The most important construction aspect was the cantilever – approximately 8.5 metres long, this V-shaped element runs the entire length of the stand, with the design also having to take account of wind, vibration and deflection forces. The stadium was completed in 2021.
