Contemporary Design Has Futuristic Looks

Location:	Adelaide, South Australia
Country:	Australia
Client:	South Australian Government
Architect:	Tony Materne, Woods Bagot, Ph: 08 8212 7600
Products Used:	COLORBOND® Metallic steel

The A$90 million upgrade of the Adelaide Convention Centre has turned the building into a focal point of the city's CBD. A large clear span roof clad in COLORBOND® Metallic steel soars over a 170 metre long sweeping wall of glass that looks out on the picturesque River Torrens.

The dramatic roof is a striking feature of the re-developed centre which is now 110% larger than the original. With exhibition floor space boosted to 10,000 square metres the building is positioned as one of the leading convention centres in the southern hemisphere.

Project Architects, Woods Bagot overcame a number of design dilemmas to rejuvenate the Convention Centre. The company's design solution allowed the building to traverse an otherwise unusable space above a railway station while meeting strict requirements of the client, the South Australian government.

The re-developed structure is set to generate A$57 million annually for the local economy by 2005/06, rising to A$112 million by 2010/11, according to recent predictions.

Woods Bagot relied heavily on steel and glass to achieve the transformation. COLORBOND® Metallic steel, in the colour Citi®, provided roof cladding to meet a state government requirement for the development to be contemporary and modern.

While the existing building faced away from the river, Woods Bagot has orientated the new centre and installed the sweeping glass and steel facades to take advantage of the river and parkland view.

"Glass and steel reflects the state government's aspirations for the future rather than a focus on the past," said Tony Materne, design architect for the re-development.

"The building's steel work achieves large single spans and creates column-free spaces," he said.

The look and texture of the roof made from COLORBOND® Metallic steel changes depending on light and viewing angle. As light passes over the mica particles in the metallic finish, the appearance of the painted surface changes and a perception of depth is achieved.

"Externally, the curved roof is a bold gesture providing a backdrop to the river and the Riverbank precinct," Mr Materne said.

Internally, the ceiling of the reception area, enclosed by the sweeping wall of glass, is also clad in COLORBOND® Metallic steel - continuing the technological, futuristic feel of the complex.

COLORBOND® Metallic steel is part of the COLORBOND® steel Premium Products range made by BlueScope Steel.