More open, less fortress: New architects promise a transformed Macquarie Point Stadium design

Pulse Tasmania

Thu May 9, 2024
7:15pm

Early designs of the proposed multi-purpose Macquarie Point stadium are far from what the final product will look like, the project’s newly appointed architects say.

Australian firm COX Architecture has been named as the lead design consultant for the Hobart stadium in a tender worth $37.9 million.

Speaking alongside the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) at the empty site on Thursday, COX Director Alastair Richardson said his firm, which has worked on other major stadiums in Australia, has some ideas for potential designs.

“When you look at the renders done last year it was seen a lot as a solid mass. The aim is that it will not be a solid mass,” he said.

Old Macquarie Point designs are not what final stadium will look like, newly appointed architect says. Image / Supplied

“This building needs to be scaled, transparent, open, something that actually has an engagement with the city and not a concrete wall, sort of blocking off its access.”

He said the roof will need to be incredibly light and transparent to minimise the impact on the Cenotaph.

Those opposed to the stadium have previously used this image in their campaign against the project, saying it portrays the visual impact the stadium would have on the waterfront. The new architect says his designs will not be a “solid mass”. Image / Supplied

“One of the key things we want to do is to really make sure that this engages with the streetscape, that this engages with people walking around and obviously is respectful to the Cenotaph in terms of how it sits just below the escarpment,” Richardson said.

“Can we sink it slightly? What does that look like? How do we maintain the envelope such that the height is there in relation to cricket and football for example, but is as low as possible in terms of the perimeter.”

Richardson believes the budget would not blow out beyond $1 billion, as often mentioned by those opposed to the project.

“We are confident that the $715 million budget is perfectly appropriate for the project,” he said.

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation remains optimistic about the stadium’s completion for the Tasmania Devils’ 2029 AFL season and its suitability for the site.

Jeremy Rockliff and Anne Beach, Macquarie Point Corporation CEO, at the unveiling of the Macquarie Point Precinct Draft Plan in February. Image / Pulse

“We did extensive work last year looking at benchmarking field sizes, different stadia and considering whether or not it will fit on this site,” CEO Anne Beach said.

“We’re very confident we can build it here.”

An updated stadium concept design is scheduled for release in mid-2024.