The University of South Australia has officially opened its new great hall designed by South Australian practice JPE Design Studio, Norwegian practice Snøhetta and South Australian design and craft organization JamFactory.
The $50 million project, named Pridham Hall after benefactor Andrew Pridham, is Snøhetta’s first completed project in Australia. It delivers a major sporting hub and an on-campus venue for graduation ceremonies at the university’s City West campus.
“This was always about breathing more life into the campus and creating the memories that endure – playing sports with friends, going to the gym, shooting hoops and then taking to the stage on graduation day – it is about living your university days on campus,” vice chancellor David Lloyd said.
The building is adjacent to the John Wardle Architects-designed Jeffrey Smart Building and features a distinctive folding roof form. Its materials and finishes are designed to complement the prominence and architectural expression of the Jeffrey Smart Building.
The building houses a 1589.2-square-metre main hall, two basketball courts and a rock climbing wall, a gymnasium, exercise and dance studio, and an underground, 25-metre-long, five-lane swimming pool.
The wheelchair accessible pool is the first stainless steel pool to be installed in Australia.
The project also includes an amphitheatre and terraces in the plaza between it and the Jeffrey Smart Building.
The university announced the design team in October 2014. The project was approved by South Australia’s Development Assessment Commission in August 2015.
Pridham Hall is also named Yangkadlitya Wardli, which means “for-the-future building” in the language of the Kaurna people.
