Sports research, analysis and practice now take place in one energy-efficient facility at La Trobe University, thanks to an innovative construction approach combined with smart glazing and framing solutions from Alspec.

Originally envisaged as a high performance athlete training centre, the new stadium was redesigned to house facilities for academics, students, community clubs and sports administrators under the one roof. Builder Adco, who have an extensive track record in constructing sporting and education facilities, worked with the University to revise the existing masterplan, repositioning the new stadium as a central hub servicing a wider cross section of users.

The stadium’s facilities include six multi-sport courts; exercise, physiology and biomechanics testing laboratories; a 40m indoor running track; heat and altitude training chamber, and flexible office spaces. The offices are earmarked for use by professional sports organisations and well-known sports clubs who have partnered in the facility.

While the facility was designed to improve sporting performance, it was also designed to create an energy efficiency environment. With a six-star Green Star rating as the goal, Alspec’s premium energy efficient framing solutions were selected to address the building’s glazing needs. ThermAFrame, McArthur Evo and ecoWALL 225 window and door framing products were deployed across the site, each with technical credentials designed to enhance energy performance, while meeting structural requirements.

The ThermAFrame 150mm Double Glazed Flush Framing and 50mm Commercial Door are thermally broken products which substantially reduce the ability of heat and cold to flow through windows and openings. The air-tight seal formed by the ThermAFrame is ideal when looking to create a stable interior temperature, such as for performing tests and analysis. For large expanses of fixed glazing, ecoWALL 225 Flush Glazed Framing and McArthur Evo 150mm Centre Pocket Framing were chosen. The ecoWALL 225 framing offers a complete framing system with advanced structural integrity. The superior construction of this product, which includes reinforced mullions, can eliminate the need for additional steel framing. This makes them a useful and addition for the high-roof sports stadium environment. Meanwhile McArthur Evo 150mm is a centre pocket framing style which involves less glazing beads, resulting in a cleaner appearance, improved security and lower manufacturing and installation costs.

Project Name: La Trobe University Sports Park
Architect: Warren & Mahoney Architects
Builder: Adco Constructions
Fabricator: Summit Aluminium & Glass
Photographer: Derek Swalwell
Applied Finish: Duratec Monument Matt

Alspec Products Used:
150mm Flush Glazed Thermally Broken Framing
Thermally Broken 50mm Commercial Door
McArthur Evo 150mm Centre Pocket Framing
ecoWALL 225