Structural Framing for South Australia’s Flagship Pool Precinct

Precision Framing for a Landmark Leisure Facility

Case Study

The $135 million redevelopment of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre is one of South Australia’s most significant recreational infrastructure upgrades in decades. Set to open this summer under the expert operation of YMCA Aquatic (also operators of the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Oaklands Park), the centre will become a hub for health, sport, and community programs.

PPC Building Supplies played a key role in supporting the complex framing requirements of the build. Our team supplied Studco Framing Systems, known for their engineering precision and versatility across large-scale architectural projects. With the building’s curved and high-ceilinged pool halls requiring specific framing solutions to complement timber beams and a complex ceiling panel layout, Studco’s performance framing systems ensured seamless alignment and structural integrity.

In total, the project features over 685 tonnes of structural steel, more than 2,800 cladding panels, and 300,000 individual tiles. PPC’s efficient material supply chain and deep understanding of framing coordination helped streamline one of the most logistically intricate stages of construction.

  • Highlights

    • Supplied framing to meet unique acoustic, span, and wind load requirements

    • Coordinated with timber beam and ceiling panel installation

    • Delivered in sync with project milestones to reduce downtime

    • Supported a tight summer delivery timeline on a $135M civic project

Deep Dive: Integrating Studco's Advanced Building Systems

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre’s pool halls required non-standard framing spans and curved interface zones to pair with 52 custom timber beams weighing over 143 tonnes. Studco’s engineered framing systems were chosen for their compatibility with acoustic ceilings and their proven performance in high-humidity, large-span environments like aquatic centres.

PPC’s close supplier relationship with Studco enabled custom detailing, fast lead times, and technical support, giving the construction team confidence across every stage — from early installation through to ceiling closure.