Architect: Sam Crawford Architects
Construction Management: City of Canterbury
Location: Hurlstone Park, NSW
Partridge was engaged to provide structural and hydraulic engineering services for the new outdoor learning centre at Ewen Park in Hurlstone Park. The project, led by Canterbury Bankstown Council with Sam Crawford Architects and Sue Barnsley Design, involved the transformation of a former tennis court site into a public facility adjacent to the Cooks River.
The structure was conceived as a pavilion with a broad roof canopy, intended to support a range of community uses including outdoor education and informal recreation. Partridge’s structural scope included analysis and design of the primary framing system, roof structure, and foundations, all of which were influenced by the site’s environmental constraints. The foundation system was developed in collaboration with a specialist screw pile designer to address geotechnical conditions and minimise environmental impact.
The pavilion was positioned in the north-west corner of the site, selected for its relative elevation and reduced exposure to flooding. Structural design responded to the need for an open central space with minimal internal supports, requiring careful coordination of steel framing and lateral stability. The roof geometry and cantilevered edges were developed to provide coverage while maintaining unobstructed movement beneath.
Partridge Hydraulic was responsible for the design of the rainwater harvesting system and stormwater management. This included coordination with landscape elements and integration with existing site infrastructure. The hydraulic design supported Council’s broader sustainability objectives and contributed to the environmental performance of the site.
Throughout the project, Partridge worked closely with the architectural and landscape teams to ensure that structural and hydraulic systems supported the intended use and responded appropriately to the site’s constraints. The result is a facility that meets community needs while remaining sensitive to its environmental and urban context.
