| The Cauldron Atmosphere
Heats Up
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| 5th June 2003 | ||
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Extensive use of steel has helped to provide a built-in atmosphere
for Suncorp Stadium at Brisbane ' s Lang Park in Queensland since
its recent reopening. A rugby league match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Newcastle Knights on June 1 served as a dress rehearsal for big events such as Rugby League ' s State of Origin and the Rugby Union World Cup later this year. The redevelopment adopts an all-round bowl design and a floating roof that covers 70 percent of the 52,500 seats to create a world class venue on the edge of Brisbane ' s CBD. All but the existing western grandstand was torn down, with three new grandstands built and a continuous roof erected around the whole stadium. More than 21,000 square metres of COLORBOND® steel made by BHP Steel was used for the stadium ' s roof. The new grandstands also use more than 1,800 tonnes of steel columns and 19,400 lineal metres of purlins made from GALVASPAN steel. The designers of the redevelopment have opted for the use of a low flat steel roof because of its ability to enclose crowd noise within the stadium - re-creating the Cauldron atmosphere of the orginal Lang Park. Steel ' s ability to provide lightweight, flexible design solutions that suit large-span structures and stadia means it has been used extensively in the design. Stadium design specialists HOK Sport, working with PDT Architects, carried out initial design of the new Suncorp stadium for the Queensland Government Project Services Group. " The use of steel allows greater flexibility for the long span roofs that are common on stadia, while the steel grandstand frame provides greater speed of erection during the construction process, " according to HOK ' s Alastair Richardson, the project principal. The Lang Park Redevelopment Joint Venture (a Multiplex / Watpac Joint Venture) carried out a design and construct contract to complete all stadium works. Bill Buckland, the joint venture ' s project manager responsible for stadium design, believes the stadium will be the best rugby/soccer stadium in Australia. " It has the tightest bowl in Australia for the number of people it holds, " he said. " While other stadiums may be bigger, the seats are further away. " This is a very compact stadium that attempts to retain and enhance the atmosphere of the original Lang Park venue. " The stadium houses commercial space for team merchandise, a sports bar, sports museum and extensive corporate seating. The entire development - including the redevelopment of the stadium and associated infrastructure - is costed at $280 million. For further information contact: HOK Sport + Venue + Event Architects Level 2 40 Edward Street Brisbane QLD 4002 Tel: 07 3210 2530 Fax: 07 3210 2540 Web: www.hoksve.com |
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