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Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Visual Story

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Arrival at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

The Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, located on the corner of Harris and Aquatic Pier Street in Sydney, stands as a modern commercial building with distinctive corrugated wave roofing in blue. Named after the iconic Australian Olympian Ian Thorpe, the facility is adorned with large white metal structures.

Given the bustling main street traffic, the primary car park is situated underground within the building, while limited parking is available on Pyrmont St and Harris St. A step-free ramp leads to the automatic glass sliding door or via elevator from the underground carpark.

At a road intersection stands a modern commercial building with a unique blue corrugated wave roofing design. White metal structures complement the roofing contours. A blue wall displaying the facility sign is on the left. To the right, a stop light is visible, with cars stopped on the left side. Further back, tall commercial buildings can be seen.
In the middle stands a contemporary commercial building featuring a distinctive corrugated wave roofing design in blue. Large white metal structures follow the roofing contours. To the left is a glass door entry. A truck and bike are parked in front. To the right, trees border the road, and cars are visible. Further ahead, tall commercial buildings come into view.
The building showcases a distinctive corrugated wave roofing design in blue. The left wall features glass structures, and a glass door entry is on the left. The facility name is written on top of the wave-shaped roofing. The entrance has an automatic glass sliding door with truncated domes. To the left is a pathway leading to another entrance, overlooking the section below. Tall light posts are present. Further ahead, tall commercial buildings come into view.
The two-way road provides access to and from the underground car park. The facility name is displayed before the entrance, separated by a traffic median. Limited parking is available on the right, with two cars currently parked. A brown facility building is situated on the right, and a tree is visible in the concrete area on the left.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Local traffic & vehicle sounds
  2. Nearby constuction machinery
  3. Nearby trains
  4. Sirens (distant/occasional)
  5. Wailing sirens (occasional)
Smell

Smells

  1. City air
  2. Vehicle & bus exhaust
  3. Bitumen & concrete
  4. Car park odours
  5. External weather conditions
Touch

Feel

  1. Anxiety (parking & access points)
  2. Elevated heart rate (stairs/walking)
  3. Disorientated
  4. Close proximity to others
  5. External weather conditions
Sight

Sight

  1. Car park & parked vehicles
  2. Traffic & congestion
  3. Large white facility with curved roof
  4. Pedestrians
  5. City buildings

Entrance at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

Enter the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre through a glass sliding door on the top level or elevator from the carpark. From the glass sliding doors, proceed down the corridor supported by handrails. Directly ahead, there is a blue reception desk dedicated to the Learn To Swim program. A small retail area offers goggles, swimwear, and swimming accessories are found on the left.

Beyond the reception area lies the currently non-operational Café. On the right, a yellow reception counter is positioned. Adjacent is a controlled gate that requires members to swipe their access card or present a ticket before entry. The wall on the right features a life-sized painting of Ian Thorpe swimming underwater.

The automatic glass sliding door displays the facility sticker. Truncated domes are installed on the floor. The lobby path has a gentle descent, with handrails positioned in the middle and on the right. Moving ahead, the reception is visible. The floor is covered with grey tiles.
In the center is the reception desk with a caramel-brown surface adorned with Christmas garlands. Positioned to its right is a glass turnstile for controlled entry. On the left, there is a roomy area with cushioned seating. The right wall displays a life-sized painting of Ian Thorpe swimming underwater. The floor is covered with small brick tiles, and the ceiling features a white porous design with circular LED lights. To the far left is the outdoor facility, and to the far right is the pool.
In the center is the retail section showcasing goggles, swimwear, and swimming accessories. On the left, a blue desk adorned with Christmas garland is dedicated to the Learn to Swim program, with brochures displayed in front of the black display rack. The floor is tiled with small bricks, and the ceiling features a white porous design with circular LED lights.
In the center stands the reception desk, featuring a caramel-brown surface embellished with Christmas garlands. To its right, a glass turnstile is in place for controlled entry. On the left, there is a spacious area with foam seating. The right wall showcases a life-sized painting of Ian Thorpe swimming underwater. The floor is tiled with small bricks, and the ceiling exhibits a white porous design with circular LED lights.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Sliding automatic doors
  2. Beeping & buzzing
  3. Directional instructions
  4. Hum of air conditioner
  5. Sudden shouts
Smell

Smells

  1. Chlorine (mild)
  2. Controlled air environment
  3. Cleaning products
  4. Damp clothes
Touch

Feel

  1. Queueing
  2. Changing surfaces (concrete - tiles)
  3. Close proximity to others
  4. Excitement & anticipation
  5. Money handling
Sight

Sight

  1. Multiple entry points
  2. People queueing
  3. Swimming accessories for sale
  4. Turnstiles
  5. People in exercise clothes

Aquatic Centre at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

To access the Indoor Aquatic Centre, use the controlled gate to the right of the reception. Enter through the automatic glass door. Directly ahead is the leisure pool with stairs and a handrail. 

On the right is the 50m 8-lane lap pool with steps and handrails or via the ramp. Further ahead, to the left, is the Sauna and Program Pool equipped with a  ramp with handrails entry point, accompanied by aquatic wheelchairs.

Storage racks for belongings are provided. The accessible change rooms with showers are situated between the two pools, with another set near the lap pool. The space features a white roof and skylights supplemented with fluorescent lighting.

Access to the aquatic center through an automatic glass sliding door. The right wall features a life-sized painting of Ian Thorpe swimming underwater. Inside, the leisure pool with stairs and a handrail is directly ahead. The floor is tiled with small bricks, and the ceiling displays a white porous design with circular LED lights.
The leisure pool features stairs and handrails, with a yellow banner positioned on the glass railings. The pool has a raised deck covered with tiles. The ground floor is tiled with small bricks, and the ceiling displays a white porous design with circular LED lights, incorporating clear glass reflecting the pool below. Beyond lies the sauna and Program Pool.
The Sauna Pool features steps with handrails and a ramp with handrails, along with truncated domes on the floor. Adjacent to it is the Program Pool, also equipped with steps and ramp entry, with visible safety signage. To the left, a glass wall provides a view of other facilities. The ground floor is tiled with small bricks, and the ceiling displays a white porous design with circular LED lights, incorporating clear glass reflecting the pool below. Beyond lie the sauna and Program Pool.
The Program Pool is furnished with steps and a ramp with handrails, accompanied by a ramp with handrails. Freestanding banners are affixed to the pool deck. A long wooden bench is situated against the right wall, and aquatic wheelchairs are positioned in the corner. The ground floor is tiled with small bricks, and the ceiling exhibits a white porous design with circular LED lights, featuring clear glass glass reflecting the pool below. Beyond lies the sauna and Program Pool.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Water running & splashing
  2. Directional instructions
  3. Echoes
  4. People talking & laughing
  5. Hum of mechanical equipment
Smell

Smells

  1. Chlorine (strong)
  2. Wet/damp clothes
  3. Soap & toiletries (bathroom)
  4. Cleaning products
  5. Controlled air environment
Touch

Feel

  1. Wet (when in pool)
  2. Close proximity to others
  3. Enclosed space
  4. Calm & relaxed (in pool)
  5. Elevated heart rate (when swimming)
Sight

Sight

  1. Water
  2. People swimming
  3. Bright white & modern space
  4. Fluorescent lighting
  5. Wavelike curved ceiling

Gymnasium at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

To access the gymnasium at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, there are three options being the middle level between the lower carpark and upper aquatic centre. An external stairs outside the facility connecting carpark, gym and aquatic centre; an elevator and the third option is through the internal stairs directly from the pool deck.

Members must swipe their access card or present a ticket at the dedicated reception counter. The floor transitions from timber to black and blue rubber tiles. Weight resistance machines are straight ahead, while further in, cardio machines are available.

An accessible bathroom on the gym level is accessible through rear manual-opening glass doors and down the corridor parallel to the gymnasium.

Access to the gym is through an inward-opening manual glass door. Inside, turnstiles equipped with swiping machines for access are positioned at the entry. The floor inside features a combination of black and white tiles, and the ceiling is white with centralized air conditioning. Outside, to the left, there is a lift.
Inside the gym, a white reception desk with posters affixed to the front is on the left. To the right, a royal blue rubber mat hosts Smith Machines. Within, stability balls, free weights, and additional machines are displayed. The floor transitions from timber to blue rubber mats. The ceiling is white with a porous design equipped with LED lights and centralized air conditioning.
A royal blue rubber mat in the middle accommodates Smith Machines. Further in, stability balls, free weights, and additional machines are on display. To the right, there are white storage racks for belongings, and adjacent to them are two rubbish bins. The floor transitions from timber to blue rubber mats. The ceiling is white with a porous design, featuring LED lights and centralized air conditioning.
In the middle, a slightly elevated platform accommodates a lineup of cardio machines. To the left, a royal blue mat hosts stability and free weights, while further along, Smith Machines are positioned. To the right, more machines are arranged. The floor transitions from a blue rubber mat to timber in the middle and a black rubber mat on the right. The ceiling is white with a porous design, equipped with LED lights and centralized air conditioning.
Hearing

Sounds

  1. Grunts & groans of gym attendees
  2. Banging & clanging of equipment
  3. Music
  4. Instructions from coaches
  5. Heavy breathing
Smell

Smells

  1. Deodorants & fragrances (occasional)
  2. Cleaning products (mild)
  3. Sporting ointments (occasional)
  4. Controlled air environment
  5. Sanitising products (mild)
Touch

Feel

  1. Change in floor surfaces
  2. Close proximity to others
  3. Touching equipment
  4. Elevated heart rate (when exercising)
  5. Sweating
Sight

Sight

  1. Bright, vibrant colours
  2. Floor to ceiling mirrors
  3. Exercise equipment
  4. Bright lights
  5. People exercising
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