The MLC School was established in1886 and has grown in size and stature as one of Sydney’s most progressive and successful girls’ day schools. Under the stewardship of its principal, Barbara Stone, a new transformation learning philosophy has been implemented to radically change their educational processes.
The School embarked upon an ambitious program of acquiring the very highest quality new building stock to match its commitment to their educational ideals. The new aquatic centre was planned as the first of these new facilities to replace an existing dilapidated out door 25 metre pool which was adjacent to a gymnasium.
The design of the pool as a single body of water allows water polo and learn to swim simultaneously and separable via a boom as well as 6 x 50 meter swimming lanes. The single body of water is compact, cost effective and responsive to the gradient across the site. A diving area was provided at the deep end of the pool where the site contours fall away.
A 60 meter long steel truss spanning across the centre of the building allow a vast column free space with a split level ceiling to encourage the flow of fresh air across the centre.
The north facing long facade equipped with sectional overhead doors can be completely opened up to allow fresh air into the centre at low level. Hot air is exhausted via electrically operated high level window openings in the southern facade.
To complement this natural ventilation system, tempered air from sub grade concrete provides warm air curtains for the removal of condensation on glass in winter. The use of a diatomaceous earth filtration system provides the highest quality water into the pool free of usual chlorine smell.