Marvel Stadium

Marvel Stadium, one of Melbourne's most iconic landmarks, opened in 2000 to replace the aging and outdated Waverley Park. Recognised as one of the world's most technologically advanced venues, this versatile stadium hosts a variety of premier sports and cultural events. To further enhance its capabilities, the stadium proposed a major upgrade with three key components:

1. City Connection: A new building extension on the east side, connecting each level of the existing stadium and refurbishing internal spaces and the external eastern concourse.

2. Stadium Square: Upgrades and refurbishment of internal spaces on the south side, including the existing south and southeast external concourses.

3. Stadium Upgrades: Multiple enhancements to existing infrastructure and amenities throughout the stadium.

All proposed upgrades must comply with AS 1428.1 and the Access to Premises Standards.

Our accessibility and universal design experts reviewed previous design proposals and conducted site audits to assess adherence to accessibility requirements. These requirements, which remain unchanged, aim to provide a comparable experience for all attendees, including those who cannot use stairs, require mobility aids, or need additional space around seating. Additionally, the evolving demographics of events necessitate the consideration of flexible amenity design, regardless of gender bias.

The review identified several areas for improvement:

• Enhanced circulation space at the top and base of the escalators
• Provision of public lifts that are sufficiently sized to serve all levels of the East redevelopment, with a preference for shallow, wide dimensions over deep, narrow designs
• Ensuring the goods lift can accommodate accessible emergency egress and provide accessibility to all staff areas
• Incorporating wheelchair-accessible and enhanced amenity seating, each with a companion seat, to upgrade limited existing provisions
• Implementing Wi-Fi-based hearing augmentation technology
• Designing gender-neutral amenities that can also serve as minor family facilities
• Clarifying the compliance of existing amenities and their ability to be upgraded
• Developing an accessible emergency evacuation strategy that prioritizes horizontal over vertical movements
• Incorporating multiple changing places facilities across the redevelopment
• Establishing a permanent accessible pathway from any side of the stadium to the field of play, with temporary provisions for on-field events.