Stratco
The redevelopment of Grange Recreation Reserve reflects a growing expectation that community facilities contribute meaningfully to place, not simply function as utilitarian buildings.
Designed by SMFA, the project reimagines a traditional sports facility as a contemporary civic destination, balancing durability with a refined architectural expression. A robust lower level responds to heavy use and coastal exposure, while lighter upper elements reduce visual mass and introduce a finer grain across the façade. Subtle curved forms soften the building’s presence and help define key entry points throughout the site.
Central to the façade outcome is Stratco’s NINELINE™ Pleat architectural wall cladding, which establishes a consistent vertical language across multiple elevations. The profile was selected for its clean junctions and terminations, compatibility with adjacent materials including masonry and glazing, and ability to maintain alignment across varied façade conditions.
Beyond aesthetics, the system also supported the practical realities of project delivery. Integration within BIM workflows, including Archicad, enabled accurate modelling from early design development through to documentation, helping reduce uncertainty during construction.
Responding to the coastal environment was a key consideration throughout the project, influencing both material selection and façade detailing. Early collaboration between SMFA and Stratco Architectural Solutions allowed interfaces, fixing strategies and installation methodologies to be resolved during design development rather than later, on site.
The façade combines NINELINE™ Pleat cladding with complementary systems including Topdek® 700 roofing, forming a coordinated envelope solution that balances technical performance with architectural intent.
The result is a building that demonstrates how early collaboration between architect, supplier and builder can help maintain design clarity while responding to the practical constraints of construction.
For product enquiries for NINELINE™ contact Stratco, email architectural.solutions@stratco.com.au