The Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park has worn many hats over the past 100 years, but its most recent refurbishment has turned the historic building into a 5 Star Green Star rated project, and the new home of the Sydney Swans.

Certified under the Design and As Built rating, the project has transformed the iconic building into a world-class training venue for the Sydney Swans AFL and AFLW teams, as well as the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

In recent years we have seen a growing trend of sporting facilities adopting more sustainable, healthy and efficient building practices. This movement, which began with the Sydney Olympics, known as the ‘Green Games’, has continued to gain momentum, with initiatives like the recent Green Star ratings for several stadiums that hosted the Women’s World Cup soccer games, highlighting the importance of sustainability in the world of sport.

“There are a multitude of reasons that we put sustainability at the forefront of decision making for Sydney Swans HQ. First and foremost – being considerate of people and our planet is the right thing to do. We’re a community leader and we aim to lead by example. Further, we are building for the future, both on and off the field. The Sydney Swans has two elite teams of young athletes, along with the QBE Sydney Swans Academy with 700 boys and girls, so we want to ensure we minimise the footprint of our operations today to leave our planet in the best shape for the generations that follow”, explained Chief Operating Officer, Drew Arthurson.

High-performance on and off the field

So, why certify with Green Star? 

For the Sydney Swans team, it was vitally important to pursue independent verification for the project’s sustainability outcomes.

“We’re experts in high-performance rather than environmental best practice. Therefore, it was important for us to work with experts who could offer guidance on green initiatives for our new facility, and independently verify the project outcomes. Green Building Council Australia is a leader in this space and pursuing Green Star verification demonstrates our commitment to achieving sustainable outcomes”, said Arthurson.

Design & As Built ratings consider nine categories that define best practice in environmental design. The HQ received points in all nine categories including Management, Indoor Environment Quality, Energy, Transport, Water, Energy, Land Use & Ecology and Innovation. The 5 Star Green Star certification represents Australian excellence in better, healthier and more responsible buildings.

Key features

• Skylights and plenty of well-placed windows to maximise natural light within building.
• Upgrades to existing glazing on the Royal Hall of Industries and a new high-performance Danpatherm façade to the basketball court, improving indoor conditions while reducing pressure on heating and cooling systems.
• Rainwater tanks to increase recycled water usage.
• Increased indoor plants to improve air quality and indoor environment for staff, as well as access to green spaces.
• EV charging stations for electric vehicles.

Adaptive reuse & historic buildings

Working together through the project, the Sydney Swans and GBCA pinpointed several key areas to promote sustainable design and operations and minimise environmental impact – all done with painstaking care due to the state significance of the building.

Should the Royal Hall of Industries ever need to be returned to its original condition, every original pane of glass has been preserved to celebrate its history.

The decision to breathe new life into an existing building, rather than construct a brand-new facility, came to light for two key reasons.

“There were two very compelling reasons we chose to revamp an existing building. Firstly, the Royal Hall of Industries is an iconic building full of nostalgia for Sydneysiders – it’s fondly remembered as the showbag hall from the Royal Easter Show. The building also happens to be a drop punt from our home ground at the SCG, so from a location perspective it was a perfect fit.

“Secondly, the adaptative reuse of this building also reduced the materials and embodied carbon that would have been associated with a new build – therefore, it was a greener choice. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome to have a world-class training, administration, and community facility housed within a state significant building”, said Arthurson.

Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Ms Davina Rooney, applauded the choice to renew the historic building.

“The adaptive reuse of the Royal Hall of Industries demonstrates a perfect blend of heritage preservation and modern sustainability. By revitalising this iconic building, the

Sydney Swans have set a benchmark for integrating sustainable practices in sports facilities. Their commitment to environmental responsibility not only enhances the building's operational efficiency but also inspires the broader community to embrace sustainability”, said Ms Rooney. 

A focus on community

Designed by architects Populous and constructed by Australian owned company FDC, the Royal Hall of Industries is not just the HQ for the Sydney Swans. The facility is shared with three community tenants (all rent free) - Lifeblood, GO Foundation and Clontarf Foundation - along with 98 Gym Sydney and Hoops Capital, the owners of the Sydney Kings and Flames basketball teams. The decision to make better, healthier and more responsible buildings a priority will have a flow-on effect to all these organisations, as well as the community groups who regularly use the space.

With such an impressive Green Star rated project under their belt, Drew Arthurson offered some advice for others looking to achieve a Green Star rating.

“There is so much new and emerging technology that can deliver terrific outcomes, for example, we have worked with our partner Origin to install EV charge stations to encourage the use of more sustainable vehicles. There are also simple measures, such as indoor plants, that can improve the indoor environment and air quality for staff. Working with experts will ensure your project has a holistic and cohesive approach to sustainability, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for your people and the planet.”