Merrifield Pavilion by Davidson Architecture | 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards

Merrifield Pavilion by Davidson Architecture | 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards
Public Architecture
Wurundjeri
The Merrifield Sports Pavilion is sited within a greenfield sub-divisional development by MAB Corporation and Gibson Property Corporation within Hume City Council in Melbourne’s north. As one of the state’s fastest growing suburbs, the Pavilion is a key piece of social infrastructure responding to both immediate and long-term requirements.
A focal point of a new centralised recreation reserve, the Pavilion provides a key space for active public gathering, in turn promoting social engagement and physical activity and health. The pavilion is primarily used by the local and fast-growing Merrifield Panthers Sporting Association (MPSA), which embraces a range of sports servicing Merrifield and surrounding suburbs - including basketball, cricket, AFL football and tennis. The pavilion includes change facilities, umpires and timekeepers’ facilities, a kitchen, a canteen, a bar, storerooms, a social room, maintenance facilities and spacious internal and external spectating areas.
The Pavilion captures and fosters the place-bound identity of the new local community with club colours, strong horizontal elements reflecting the Merrifield Panthers sporting jersey and a dynamic aesthetic exemplified by angled cut offs, ‘sashes’, ‘yokes’ and stripes. PE Cell controlled LED lighting mimics the beading on sports clothes and provides a visually dynamic atmosphere during night events.
Cost-effective and durable materials are complemented by colourful and textural elements. High security demands and limitations on materials informed the robust concrete block base and expressive fascia above; redolent of 1960s Vandalproof structures. The fascia introduces contrast, thematic relevance, and a surprise element.
Additionally, the design emphasises visual openness and connectivity, maximising unimpeded views for spectators with large, glazed windows with thin and minimised mullions. Fenestration has been used to allow a ‘closeness’ to the immediate oval and a ‘framed’ longer-range view to a distant oval and mountains to the northeast.
The Pavilion provides high-quality, adaptable facilities for sporting teams. Change room areas are robust and adaptable with roller shutters allowing smaller change rooms or a large indoor training space with abundant natural light. To accommodate multiple clubs simultaneously, the social room was designed with operable walls which can be closed off to provide two spaces, without compromising interior design elements.
With cost planning reviewed at each design stage, the project was delivered easily within Hume City Council’s budgetary requirements, allowing additional funds to be spent on solar and battery storage installation.
Davidson Architecture’s design considered environmental and social sustainability including stormwater capture and solar energy enabling full-electric operation, universal access, the minimisation of building maintenance, vandal resistance and security and compliance with Australian Standards for access and mobility. The roof design easy maintenance of solar photovoltaics while shading external walls with deep overhangs. All windows are thermally broken double glazed and are fitted with aluminium shutters to ensure building will not heat up when not in use.
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The Australian Institute of Architects Presentation to Juries offered entrants in the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards an opportunity to address judges with their nominated projects.
Featuring some of Australia’s most prominent architects, Presentation to Juries is a rare opportunity for the public to learn about the influences behind some of Victoria’s most innovative buildings and follow the architectural process from concept to construction.