澳洲黑鎮市運動與技術中心Blacktown Exercise and Sports Technology Hub

The Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) is a world-class facility at the intersection of sport, culture, health, and community. Designed by ARM Architecture with Architectus (landscape architects) and executive architect CO.OP Studio, BEST’s striking design is informed by the local multicultural vernacular, including Indian temples, Turkish bathhouses, and Chinese gardens. Its high-tech façade references sporting technology, including 3D-printed equipment and apparel, carbon fiber prosthetics, and aerodynamic fabrics. The BEST serves as a centre for education, sports science, and allied health, offering integrated facilities equipped with the latest in medical technology. Students, athletes, and the broader community can access top-tier treatment and rehabilitation services in a welcoming and inclusive environment. BEST is not for elite athletes alone, it has been conceived as a generous community asset aimed at improving long-term health and wellbeing outcomes.

The brief was to design a new facility for sports science and elite athletes in the Blacktown International Sportspark, which had become unused and tired. At the commencement of the project, the brief was limited. ARM worked closely with the Council to develop the brief as we tested concepts for the site, ultimately coming up with a partnership approach to develop the brief further. Australian Catholic University (ACU) came on board, along with several other organizations that signed up as future tenants. This drove the evolution of the project, from being originally targeted as a facility for elite athletes to hone their skill and performance, to an inclusive community-focused facility that advanced health outcomes for the Western Sydney public. The design caters to all walks of life, from elite athletes to the elderly, to children, and everyone in between. The brief demanded that the facility be fully accessible and serve as an eye-catching beacon that people would be drawn to.

Collaborative Design and Integration: BEST was developed and co-designed with a diverse range of partners, including the Australian Catholic University, Sydney West Sports Medicine, the AFL, Blacktown City Council, WentWest, and Delaware North. This collaboration integrates various expertise areas, making it a unique project that combines education, sports science, and allied health in one facility.
Focus on Health and Physical Literacy: The primary objective of BEST is to improve health outcomes for the Western Sydney community through health and physical literacy education. This goal aligns with the council’s vision and brings a targeted approach to community health improvement.
Hands-on Industry Experience for Students: ACU students in sports science and allied health gain practical, hands-on experience in a real-world setting. This integration provides students with industry exposure and practical skills, enhancing their education and career readiness.
Sustainable Design: BEST is designed with sustainability in mind, being all-electric with a 200kW PV system, greywater flushing, stormwater harvesting, cycle infrastructure, and end-of-trip facilities.
Cultural Integration in Design: The design incorporates elements inspired by the multicultural vernacular of Western Sydney, such as Indian temples, Turkish bathhouses, and Chinese gardens. This cultural integration influences color schemes, circulation patterns, and material choices, creating a unique and inclusive environment.
Innovative Design: The concept of ‘movement’ drives the architectural design, creating a dynamic experience as people move through the space. The sinuous footprint, repetition of elements, and protuberant façade reflect this idea, providing a unique architectural experience.

The architecture of BEST is inspired by the multicultural vernacular of Western Sydney. Elements from Indian temples, Turkish bathhouses, and Chinese gardens influence the color schemes, circulation patterns, and material choices, creating a rich and inclusive environment. The GRC façade features high-tech references to sports technology, with design elements echoing 3D-printed equipment, carbon fiber prosthetics, and aerodynamic fabrics.
Our design prioritizes the concept of ‘movement’, with a sinuous footprint and dynamic interior spaces that encourage exploration. The facility includes a 60m analysis track, biomechanics lab, 20m hydrotherapy pool, strength & conditioning gym, environmental chamber, physiology labs, sports medicine consulting suites, and more. Each space is crafted to provide an optimal experience, whether for rehabilitation, high-performance training, or education.
Users will experience a seamless integration of functionality and aesthetics. The public areas, including a café, physical literacy playground, and student hub, are designed to foster interaction and community engagement. The building’s interior spaces use vibrant colors to distinguish key areas while supporting zones adopt a softer palette for a balanced atmosphere. This thoughtful design ensures that BEST is not only a cutting-edge facility but also a welcoming and inspiring place for all who visit.

The Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) exemplifies a robust sustainability approach, integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions into its design and operation. Environmental sustainability is a core focus, with the building being all-electric and incorporating a 200kW photovoltaic (PV) system to generate renewable energy. Water conservation is addressed through greywater flushing and stormwater harvesting systems, reducing reliance on municipal water supplies and minimizing wastewater. Deep soil zones are maximized, with significant new canopy tree planting to decrease urban heat island.
Social sustainability is embedded in the facility’s mission to improve health outcomes for the Western Sydney community. By offering health and physical literacy education, BEST ensures access to cutting-edge medical technology and treatment for diverse community members. The inclusion of culturally inspired design elements, reflecting the multicultural vernacular of Western Sydney, fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment for all users.
Economic sustainability is achieved through strategic budget allocation, ensuring funds are directed towards key features that enhance design excellence and operational efficiency. The facility supports local economies by providing employment opportunities and fostering collaboration among educational institutions, health services, and sports organizations. ACU students gain hands-on industry experience, preparing them for future careers and contributing to the local workforce.
BEST’s sustainable design and operation create a model for integrated, community-focused facilities that promote long-term environmental health, social equity, and economic viability.

布萊克敦運動與科技中心（BEST）是世界一流的綜合設施，涵蓋運動、文化、健康與社區等多元功能。BEST 由 ARM Architecture 與 Architectus 景觀設計師及執行建築師 CO.OP Studio 共同設計，其引人注目的建築風格受到當地多元文化的啟發，如印度寺廟、土耳其浴場及中國花園。BEST 的高科技外觀融入了運動技術元素，如 3D 列印設備、碳纖維義肢與空氣動力布料，展現出現代科技之美。作為教育、運動科學及聯合健康的中心，BEST 提供先進的醫療設備，致力於為學生、運動員與社區提供溫馨包容的療癒及復健空間。BEST 不僅服務於精英運動員，也被視為社區資產，旨在提升整體健康與福祉。

本專案的目標是為布萊克敦國際體育公園中的運動科學與精英運動員設計一座嶄新的設施，以取代原先閒置且老舊的場地。在專案啟動階段，任務簡報內容有限，經由 ARM 與理事會的密切合作，不斷修訂簡報，並吸納合作夥伴的需求，最終擴展為以社區為中心的多功能健康中心。澳洲天主教大學（ACU）及多個未來租戶的加入，使專案從精英訓練設施轉型為全面服務西悉尼社區的健康中心。此設施不僅針對精英運動員，也為長者、兒童及各年齡層的民眾提供服務，並設有無障礙設施，成為社區吸引人潮的亮點。

協同設計與整合：BEST 計畫由多方協作，包括 ACU、雪梨西運動醫學中心、AFL、布萊克敦市議會、WentWest 和德拉瓦北。此合作聚焦跨領域整合，打造結合教育、運動科學及聯合健康的獨特空間。
健康與體育素養推廣：BEST 旨在提升西悉尼社區的健康水平，推動健康與體育素養教育，符合市議會對於促進社區健康的願景。
行業實踐經驗：ACU 運動科學與聯合健康專業的學生在此設施獲得實地實習機會，提升職業技能並強化學習體驗。
永續設計：BEST 設計注重環保，設有全電力系統、200kW 光伏系統、灰水回收、雨水收集、自行車停放設施及出行終點設施。
文化融合設計：建築風格融入西悉尼多元文化元素，包括印度寺廟、土耳其浴場及中國花園，並反映於配色、動線與材料選擇，營造出獨特的包容氛圍。
創新設計：建築設計以「運動」為核心理念，運用蜿蜒流動的動線、重複元素及富有張力的立面，打造動態空間體驗。

BEST 建築靈感來自西雪梨的多元文化，如印度寺廟、土耳其浴場與中國花園，並在配色、流動空間與材料運用上呈現，營造豐富包容的環境。建築立面以高科技方式展現運動技術元素，並融入 3D 列印、碳纖維義肢和空氣動力布料等設計特色。