Cox Architecture

Recently unveiled by AFL Cairns early this year, the Cazalys Stadium Masterplan represents an ambitious step toward securing the region’s future as a world-class sporting and entertainment hub.  Managed by project management and advisory COHA Group in collaboration with COX and local firm CA Architects, the plan reflects the needs of elite international events with grassroots participation. Designed to future-proof the venue for the next 30 years, the redevelopment aligns with the city of Cairns as an important component of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. COX Director Richard Coulson says, “Cazalys is an important and well-loved venue for northern Australia. The proposed scheme looks to honour the spectacular Cairns setting retaining the unique feeling of the ground.” 🔗Read more: https://lnkd.in/gvgMBxFp

The focal point of Victoria’s State Basketball Centre is its ‘town square’ where journeys into and around the facility begin.     The central hub is sheltered under a simple timber clad parasol lightly propped off surrounding pods, and slender branching columns.  A raised edge profile allows controlled light into the space via clerestory windows while a basketball net-shaped central oculus provides a dramatic and defining central feature.    Read more: https://lnkd.in/e9pxYEDr Photography by Tom Blachford   Completed January 2024. Funded by the Victorian Government & Knox City Council     Delivered by Development Victoria & ADCO Constructions    Consultant team: Arup, Büro North, Morris Goding Access Consulting, Philip Chun, LLC, Tract Consultants, WSP in Australia, WT (Australia)

Stromlo Leisure Centre sets a new benchmark for sustainable sports infrastructure. Featuring the southern hemisphere’s longest-spanning glulam timber structure, the design significantly reduces embodied carbon compared to steel and concrete while creating a warm, welcoming environment.    “Timber plays a pivotal role in our journey to a carbon neutral and circular economy. The SLC demonstrates that in addition to its environmental and structural performance, the speed of construction, durability, maintenance and end-of-life considerations make timber an economically compelling alternative to concrete and steel,” says COX Head of Sustainability, Dr Matthias Irger.    COX continues to push the boundaries of sustainable design, proving that large-scale projects can be both functional and environmentally responsible.    🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/g9kWV842

Designing for equality is a responsibility we are deeply committed to at COX. At Allianz Stadium, we had the privilege of redefining what inclusive design can look like. We reimagined every detail—from creating athlete changing facilities that supported the preferences of women and men, to enhancing spectator areas with thoughtful accessibility and gender-neutral amenities.     As part of her contribution to Champions of Change Coalition’s most recent report, Equity By Design, Director Alex Small reflects on how we transformed Allianz Stadium into an inclusive and accessible space for everyone.     This project is a reminder that our work as architects and designers shapes how people live, interact and feel every day.     Read Alex’s perspective and access the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g6MkKDKD #EquityByDesign #SportsArchitecture #InclusiveDesign #AccessibleDesign  

Climate Action Week Sydney reminds us that change requires persistence in our actions every day. This year’s theme, ‘Active Hope,’ is particularly resonant. On its own, hope is not enough; it must be backed by commitment, by process, by active steps that turn intent into reality.    Committing to designing regeneratively is a constant process of learning and evolution. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we are committed to asking the right questions and co-creating solutions with industry peers, researchers and communities.     A truly regenerative future will not come from business as usual, nor from isolated efforts. It will come from collaboration, knowledge-sharing, storytelling and from innovating with purpose.    What does this all mean in practice?  In the story below, we reflect on the processes we believe are fundamental to building a better, brighter future for us all. Read the full perspective from COX's Head of Sustainability, Dr Matthias Irger, in the story here:  https://lnkd.in/gwHJng7S Secure your tickets for tonight’s session here: https://lnkd.in/gbwKEp-b   #ClimateActionWeek #RegenerativeDesign #DoMoreWithLess #LivingFutures 

Leichhardt Oval, one of Sydney’s most cherished sporting venues, is set for a transformation—one that respects its legacy while ensuring it meets the evolving needs of players, fans and the wider community.    We are leading the design of this next chapter, which continues to build on the Leichhardt Oval Masterplan we developed in collaboration with Inner West Council. Design updates under consideration include a new northern grandstand and an upgraded western grandstand, with refreshed corporate and media facilities and improved inclusivity-focused player amenities – enhancing the experience for all who step through its gates.    “Projects that benefit the public good are at the heart of what we do. Combined with our history in stadia design, this uniquely positions us to shape this important transformation,” said COX Director, Lachlan Abercrombie. “Enhancing legacy venues to meet contemporary needs, improving accessibility and inclusivity for the community is a rewarding extension of this mission.”    We look forward to working closely with Inner West Council and key stakeholders to shape a venue that remains a beloved home for elite and community sport while unlocking new opportunities for live events and performances. Read more about this project here. https://lnkd.in/gct8sDEv

This International Women's Day, we continue our tradition of giving our people the space to share what matters most to them. Inspired by this year’s IWD theme, #AccelerateAction, and the UN Women’s theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment., we invited voices from across our seven studios to reflect, express, and contribute. #InternationalWomensDay is a powerful reminder to celebrate the impact women have at every level of our practice—but this recognition shouldn’t be limited to a single day. Real change happens when we commit to these conversations daily, fostering an environment where inclusion, equality, and empowerment are woven into everything we do. Today, we share the insights, inspirations, and aspirations of our people—how they shape the built environment, challenge norms, and contribute to a more equitable future. Explore their stories in Edition 6 of our #IWD Magazine—https://lnkd.in/ge-HRutn A huge thank you to this year’s contributors: Bianca Hackman, Michael Leng, Joanne Andrade, Joshua Potter, Nada Michelin-Jones, Siqi Duan, Meagan Davis, Connie Martiniello, Zac Chapman, and Jessica Chapman.

COX warmly congratulates the Bachar Houli Foundation Foundation on successfully securing federal funding for the Aspire Sports Centre (ASC). Announced on 5 March, the $15M grant will help deliver a new sports centre of excellence in the inner Melbourne suburb of Coburg. Providing high performance sports training, education and learning, the ASC aims to enable young Islamic people across the city, local sports groups and women the opportunity to connect, compete and thrive in an environment designed to empower and inspire. 🔗 read more: https://lnkd.in/gmsAbeMK Islamic College of Sport | Merri-bek City Council Consultant team: Arup, Urbis, WT (Australia)

Next week is Climate Action Week in Sydney, and we hope you’ll join us in contributing to a bigger conversation around regenerative design, sustainable material choices and decarbonisation.      Wednesday 12 March | REGENERATIVE NOW | 5.30-7.00pm   Be inspired by regenerative projects already shaping the built environment, including Australia’s first regenerative building, designed by COX in 2013. This panel discussion with industry experts will be held in our beautiful COX Sydney studio in collaboration with the Living Futures Institute of Australia.   Register here: https://lnkd.in/gbwKEp-b   Thursday 13 March | Introducing Product Aware | 5.30-7.30pm  A discussion at UNSW on the importance of responsible material choices and sustainability transparency in the architecture industry featuring our national head of sustainability, Dr Matthias Irger.   Register here: https://lnkd.in/gVYR4wKX Friday 14 March | Timber knowledge exchange forum  A closed-door session bringing together leading experts from Japan and Australia to discuss innovations in timber construction. We’ll share key insights post-event! Climate Action Week Sydney | Living Future Institute of Australia #ClimateActionWeek #RegenerativeDesign #DoMoreWithLess #LivingFutures  

The Palm Beach Aquatic and Community Centre has quickly returned to being a thriving hub for the community, where subtropical design meets well-being. Designed by COX in partnership with Liquid Blu for the City of Gold Coast, this beloved 40-year-old venue has been transformed into a modern, multi-purpose venue with four new pools, community facilities and fitness centre complementing the existing beloved 50-metre outdoor pool. “We appreciate the community letting us take the venue offline for two years to make these improvements. It reopens as a substantially new place, recomposed within the landscape, with more accessibility, more water bodies, more shade and shelter and we would suggest a lot more joy,” says COX Director, Richard Coulson With its open, connected design and enhanced accessibility, the Centre is more than just a place to swim or exercise—it’s a welcoming space for social connection, life long learning, wellness, and recreation for people of all ages and abilities. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g8s8KGPr Photography: Scott Burrows