Brisbane 2032 architecture alliance looks to encourage use of sustainable timber for new venues

August 30, 2023

Australian design practice Buchan has announced a partnership with Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei and USA-based sports architects HKS with the aim of encouraging the use of sustainable timber and “fresh, local” perspectives for venues being developed for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The three practices are joining forces having identified sustainable timber designs and community-centric architecture as its priority, expanding on Buchan and Nikken Sekkei’s with the Japanese firm currently delivering Buchan’s design for the Australian Pavilion for World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Explaining that Buchan and Nikken Sekkei have shared aspirations for the people of Brisbane, Buchan’s Brisbane-based principal and precincts sector lead, Phil Schoutrop explains “the 2032 Olympic venues, and the spaces in between, need to capture our communal spirit and not end up being generic places that could be anywhere.

“Buchan’s extensive local knowledge pairs well with Nikken Sekkei’s sustainable design expertise to amplify what makes Brisbane unique.”

With a laboratory dedicated to the research, design, and delivery of sustainable timber buildings, Nikken Sekkei has already built the Ariake Gymnastics Centre, the gymnastics venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, out of timber.

Nikken Sekkei executive design fellow, Hiroshi Miyakawa, was principal architect on the award-winning building, which, with one of the largest timber roof spans in the world, was converted into a permanent exhibition hall after the Games.

Timber was also one of the major components of the Japan National Stadium, which served as the main venue of the re-arranged 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Nikken Sekkei Executive Design Fellow, Hiroshi Miyakawa (pictured above, right), a frequent visitor of the sunshine state, cites Southbank, Howard Smith Wharves and GOMA as distinctive Brisbane destinations.

Nikken Sekkei Executive Design Fellow, Hiroshi Miyakawa explains "timber is a beautiful material that resonates with Brisbane's sub-tropical climate and local architecture

"Bringing our expertise in sustainable sports venue design to the creation of distinctly Queensland venues would be a wonderful legacy for our two countries."

HKS joins the alliance with a significant portfolio of global sports and entertainment venues, including Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, which is due to host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

HKS sports sector lead in Australia, Andrew Colling, is Principal/Director for Australia and New Zealand and worked closely on SoFi Stadium.

Noting that Australians have toured the stadium in the past 12 months, including the Queensland Deputy Premier and the Director General of Public Works, Colling noted “to design for Brisbane, we need to look in the mirror.

“Who are we and what will make a great addition to our city, not just for 2032, but for the next 50 years and beyond?”

Earlier this month, Colling spoke of the potential for a revamped Gabba to feature a timber shell "with blended greenery and sandstone instead of a cookie-cutter concrete stadium."

As reported by The Courier-Mail, Colling revealed that the stadium could incorporate a parkland deck on its roof and a cocoon of timber and sandstone to "create something that's not only distinctively South East Queensland but distinctly Australian.”

The majority of Brisbane 2032 venues are due to be existing structures but seven are planned to be constructed for the Games.

These include a BMX freestyle and cross country equestrian location at Victoria Park, the Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre for basketball, and boxing's Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.

Other venues include the Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre, also for basketball, two Athletes' Villages, the Redland Whitewater Centre, and the Brisbane Live venue due to host aquatics.

Images: The Ariake Gymnastics Centre, built out of timber for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (top), Andrew Colling and Phil Schoutrop (middle) and Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium (below).

2nd August 2023 - Green Sports Alliance launches new guide for building sustainable venues

1st August 2023 - Development for Brisbane 2032 athletics warm-up facility will not require demolition of homes

25th July 2023 - Timber gains increasing acknowledgement as a primary construction material for sport and leisure facilities

12th July 2023 - International survey names Brisbane as Australia’s top sports city

30th June 2023 - AW&E Managers spotlighted as key to athlete success in 2032 and beyond

23rd June 2023 - Australian Government seeks advisors to drive major events through and beyond the Brisbane Olympics

5th June 2023 - ICSS committed to sustainable development and environmental protection through sport

26th May 2023 - Queensland Government announces next steps in planning for 2032 Olympics legacy

9th May 2023 - Federal budget set to deliver further $500 million for Brisbane Olympics but no funds for Victoria’s Commonwealth Games

18th April 2023 - New funding backs Australian Institute of Sport initiative for gender equality in coaching by 2032

4th April 2023 - Sports Environment Alliance announces program for 2023 Summit

22nd March 2023 - Landmark 2032 legacy deal sees Queensland Government support Paralympic Centre of Excellence

18th August 2022 - New ASM Global partnership looks to create ‘the most sustainable venues in the world’

3rd December 2021 - dwp designed Eric Tweedale Stadium secures Australian Timber Design Award 2021

9th September 2021 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre and Mon Repos Turtle Centre recognised for sustainable timber construction

11th June 2021 - Motorsport Australia’s green impact initiative nominated for Sports Environment Alliance award

19th March 2020 - Green Sports Alliance advocates for sport and sustainability

14th March 2019 - IOC and IUCN partner to release sustainable venue development guide

19th July 2015 - HOK announces partnership with Green Sports Alliance

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