Allianz Stadium Shines on the Global Stage: A Triumph in Sports Interiors at Prix Versailles
In a global showcase of architectural excellence, the Prix Versailles 2023 World Judges have unveiled the latest World Title winners. Out of 95 remarkable projects recognised by Prix Versailles, Allianz Stadium snagged a special award for its standout interiors.
According to Jérôme Gouadain, Prix Versailles Secretary General, “The Prix Versailles shows there’s a unique kind of excellence – an intelligent combo of innovation, creative freedom, and eco-friendliness.” Allianz Stadium embodies this, pushing architectural boundaries to reveal a unifying beauty.
This special award adds to Allianz Stadium’s prestigious and growing list of recognitions, which also includes a shortlisting at the 2023 World Architecture Festival and the top gong of ‘Best Rectangular Stadium’ at the 2022 Stadiums Awards.
COX now joins an elite group of firms with multiple Prix Versailles nods, following our 2019 win with Optus Stadium.
COX Director, Brooke Lloyd
Our mission: an unwavering link to the city’s heartbeat. We’ve melded interiors and architecture to craft a stadium that is imbued with the soul of Sydney – driven by the rich tapestry of its past, its present and its people.
The stadium harmoniously blends with the local topography, maintaining a consistent footprint and a distinctive position that gracefully integrates into the landscape. Inspired by the nearby terraced houses and pubs, the design employs carefully chosen colour palettes and decorative details.
The sporting precinct extends far beyond football games or concerts, catering to a myriad of needs with workplaces, hospitality venues, and leisure facilities seamlessly integrated into the project. Emphasising these versatile spaces and driven by a necessity for upgraded facilities, COX took on the challenge of designing every interior space – from the vibrant stadium bars and expansive general concourse to amenities, cutting-edge technical broadcast spaces, functional workspaces, and top-notch player facilities, including the Roosters Centre of Excellence. Not to mention, the exquisite Merivale’s Bert’s Bistro and the prestigious Sporting Club of Sydney.
Members find rejuvenation at the revitalised Stadium Club, a historic institution with a legacy of over three decades. COX embraced the exciting challenge of redesigning this landmark into a modern, resort-like club that seamlessly incorporates the latest trends in sporting facilities.
Dressed in polished concrete, blonde wood and textured walls in earthy tones, the three-storey building sheltering under the stadium’s western side evokes a day spa experience. The design concept is based on flow, inspired by the circadian rhythms of the body as the spaces move from dark to light, sheltered to open.
The club boasts spaces for both seclusion and revival – a spa, a sauna and thermal baths are crafted for relaxation. Members can engage in traditional fitness such as the gym floor, squash, spin classes or take a dip in the 25-metre indoor pool or the 50-metre outdoor pool finished with Bali stone. Innovative spaces offer experimental experiences – acrobatic yoga, virtual golf and infrared sauna. More than just a fitness space, the club is a social hub where members can feel a real sense of community.
The restaurants and bars allow visitors to immerse themselves in an ambiance reminiscent of iconic Oxford Street pubs, with details such as crafted ceramic tiles and sturdy bar plinths evoking the quintessential pub experience. Sydney’s context shines through at every turn. In the Level 2 members bar, a strategically crafted slot behind the bar beckons patrons to savour the breath taking views across Moore Park and the city skyline.
A crowning jewel within these interiors is Merivale’s Bert’s Bistro – a culinary haven where coastal European aesthetics seamlessly blend with the stadium setting. Nestled within the Allianz Stadium members stand, Bert’s offers a panoramic view of Kippax Lake’s lush parklands. The rich green palette, adorned with vintage wallcoverings and opulent leather, pays homage to the restaurant’s natural surroundings. Crafted ceramic tiles, solid timber furnishings, and hand-blown glass wall lights draw inspiration from the classic Paddington pubs, creating a space that not only captures the city skyline but also sets the stage for an exquisite menu curated by Chef Jordan Toft.
The Allianz Stadium Redevelopment marks a pivotal moment in contemporary sports and entertainment architecture. This recognition at the Prix Versailles, including it’s shortlisting in the wider Sports category, is a testament to its exceptional design, harmonious integration with the surroundings, and its pivotal role as a dynamic hub for sports, culture, and community events. As a global exemplar of architectural brilliance, Allianz Stadium stands tall, embodying the innovative spirit of modern architecture.
