The current trend in Sydney regarding the upgrade of sports and amenities buildings involves the demolition of the existing building followed by the construction of an almost identical, yet larger twin, often in the same position. This process destroys all existing traces of older buildings; from a historic standpoint of preservation but moreover removes the possibility of exploiting existing structures for sustainable and financial reasons.

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The proposal for Mahoney park, a suburban park in Sydney’s Marrickville,  attempts to address the obsession with demolition in the upgrade of long block buildings. The existing red brick building is used here as an opportunity for more economic, sustainable and historically sensitive development. The extant structure is retained with only minor alterations proposed.  2 new structures built on either side are connected with a long roof. A new undercover space for spectating and wet weather activities is created, supported by a standardised steel structure, with the ability to expand as the needs of the community change.

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The programming of the typical community sports building is challenged, creating flexible spaces for community interaction; a cafe and lettable community spaces, which maximise use throughout the week. This enhancement of utility, also acts as a selling point to the AFL and governments in seeking funding. If the sports building, which sits in the average suburban park, can be expanded in its meaning and relevance, then it may go someway to addressing the lack of quality community and sporting spaces within our neighbourhood. By preserving the publicly perceived decrepit toilet block for beneficial reasons of cost, sustainability and culture and displaying it in a new light, we can maintain physical links to our collective cultural history,showing  to the next generation that it is more important to fix something that isn’t functioning rather than knocking it down and starting again.