Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) is the product of partnerships created by the City of Blacktown with Australian Catholic University, Sydney West Sports Medicine, the AFL, WentWest, and Delaware North.

A complex project with multiple categories of use and multiple key partners, the evolving brief commanded clarity of thought, sight and process. ARM was charged with synthesising the diverse needs of the stakeholders, to give each partner a distinct address and character in the building while making a landmark with a singular, emblematic identity.

Combining sport, medicine, rehabilitation, research, accommodation, education and public recreation in one place, BEST is a public asset supporting a truly integrated approach to athletic excellence and community health.

At the heart of Blacktown International Sports Park (a legacy site from the Sydney 2000 Olympic games), the building’s striking design is inspired by the architectures of the many cultures that make up Blacktown’s community: Indian temples, Turkish bathhouses and Chinese gardens. It’s also inspired by sporting technology, 3D-printed equipment and apparel, carbon fibre prosthetics and drag-reduction fabrics.

Providing the best facilities and top-tier services for physical activity at any level it includes a 60-metre analysis track, biomechanics lab, 20-metre hydrotherapy pool, strength & conditioning gym, environmental chamber, physiology labs, sports medicine consulting suites, GP clinic, offices, café, physical literacy playground, student hub, and an auditorium for conferences, meetings and functions. The Lodge provides modern, accessible hotel accommodation on site.

The ‘physical literacy’ play space was created in collaboration with landscape architects Architectus and medical experts to boost physical, psychological, social and cognitive skills through movement. The nearby Disability Sports Centre (Lahz Nimmo Architects) complements BEST’s facilities.