Nestled confidently beneath The Remarkables mountain range, Alpine Aqualand is a major extension to the Events Centre, located next to the Queenstown Airport at Frankton. The completed wet and dry sports facility brings the district’s major indoor and outdoor sports activities onto one site.

The design was a collaborative effort between pool specialists LHT Design and well known New Zealand sculptor Virginia King, who gave conceptual input. The dramatic building form was influenced by the geology of the region and the dominant visual impact of The Remarkables.

A series of confident wedges ‘fan’ around the existing cricket oval with large areas of glazing taking advantage of spectacular views of Coronet Peak to the north and The Remarkables to the east. In cross-section, each wedge ‘leans’ to the west, suggesting the impact of tectonic forces, and varies in height to suit its internal function.

The centre includes an eight-lane 25m lap pool, a leisure pool with a lazy river, a toddlers’ pool, a separate learners’ pool, twin hydroslides, waterfalls, a health and fitness centre, and indoor/outdoor areas, and also features commissioned local art works.

It was designed to optimise energy efficiency and conservation measures, with the inclusion of double-glazing, heat recovery, integrated energy management, motorised pool covers, high-quality water treatment, pool-water recycling and extra insulation.

Photography: Mike Langford