The Challenge
The Allan Border Oval Pavilion forms part of a major redevelopment within the heritage-listed Mosman Park, adjacent to the Mosman War Memorial. The project replaces earlier pavilion structures with a contemporary civic building that combines grandstand and clubhouse functions beneath a single, unified roof.
The architectural intent called for:
- A large, column-free internal volume with uninterrupted views to the oval.
- Even, natural daylight across the central function space without visual clutter.
- A skylight solution that could integrate seamlessly into a long, pitched roof form referencing the site’s historic pavilions.A
- design outcome appropriate for a highly visible public and heritage setting, supporting inclusivity, accessibility, and community use.
The Solution
Skyspan designed and supplied a custom Glass Ridgelight (GRL) running the full length of the pavilion roof, aligned with the building’s central spine.
Key aspects of the solution included:
- A continuous 24.5-metre ridgelight, configured as sixteen fixed panels, delivering consistent daylight along the roof apex.
- A low-profile system that integrates cleanly with the pitched roof geometry, supporting the architectural concept of a singular, unifying roof.
- A non-openable configuration, selected to prioritise visual clarity, weather protection, and long-term durability in a public facility.
- Coordination within a broader sustainability strategy incorporating passive solar design principles and natural lighting.
The ridgelight reinforces the pavilion’s “communal umbrella” concept, allowing daylight to animate the interior while maintaining an open, inclusive character.
The Outcome
The completed Glass Ridgelight plays a central role in the success of the Allan Border Oval Pavilion, filling the primary function room with soft, balanced daylight and enhancing views across the oval.
By daylighting the heart of the building, the ridgelight supports a wide range of community uses—from sporting events and meetings to conferences and celebrations—while reducing reliance on artificial lighting during daytime operation.
The project demonstrates Skyspan’s capability to deliver bespoke ridgelight solutions for civic and heritage-sensitive projects, where architectural intent, public use, and long-term performance must work seamlessly together.
