This state-of-the-art facility is not limited to elite athletes alone. The BEST serves as a centre for sports science and allied health, offering consulting facilities equipped with the latest in medical technology. Athletes and the broader community can access top-tier treatment and rehabilitation services in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

To do this vision justice, and to catch the eye of as many athletes, teams, students and the public as possible, the BEST had to become a local landmark.

The building’s striking contemporary design is inspired by the architectures of the many cultures that make up Blacktown’s community: Indian temples, Turkish bathhouses and Chinese gardens.

It’s also inspired by sporting technology and gear including 3D-printed equipment and apparel, carbon fibre prosthetics and drag-reduction fabrics. The striking facade was developed in collaboration with ShapeShift Technologies.

Internally the BEST houses an aquatic recovery pool, physical rehabilitation space, 60m analysis running track, environmental chamber, biomechanics lab, all home to students, researchers and health professionals.

Externally is a carefully-crafted ‘physical literacy’ play space, designed in collaboration with the landscape architecture team at Scott Carver (now Architectus), with expert input from BEST Project Director Dr Neil Gibson to improve physical, psychological, social and cognitive skills.