Heritage Bank Stadium, home to the Gold Coast SUNS, was Australia’s greenest and most cost-effective stadium when it opened. It was the first stadium in Australia to have a solar halo of photovoltaic cells integrated into the roof design, providing 20% of its energy.

The stadium also has other environmentally sustainable features including water tanks (total capacity of 650,000 Liters), 450 metres of solar panelling which, combined, form a 5-metre-wide inner rim around the stadium’s entire roofline, as well as high integration with the existing public transport system.

Stewardship and sustainability were the guiding principles of the environmental design, including the flexibility to scale up and down to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games’ opening and closing ceremonies as well as the track and field events. The stadium, which allowed for the creation of a new team within the AFL, has been embraced by its local community, and lifted the bar on cost effective environmental stadium design. ​ The venue is also capable of holding international cricket matches, concerts, festivals, IAAF athletics events and FIFA World Cup soccer matches. It has hosted a range of music events such as the Foo Fighters in 2011, one of the largest concerts in the Gold Coast’s history, and the Big Day Out in 2014, with Pearl Jam as the headline act.

The Wiigugla Sports complex is a key community asset for creating healthier, more connected communities in the local area and connects many people, cultures, histories, and natural features. The $28.8 million recreation facility is a dynamic precinct brought to life through the buildings design which reflects the local Indigenous heritage as well as the multicultural mix of the northern beaches of Coffs Harbour.

Through extensive community focus groups and multiple workshops Populous engaged with the Gumbaynggirr Elders to understand their story of Country. The general design philosophy took cues from four distinct local influences and identities in the community – Ocean, Rainforest, Traditional Owners, and the Sikh Community which is one of the largest in Australia and dates back to the 1800s.

The Wiigulga Sports Complex is a targeted 4 Star Green Star project that prioritises passive design, particularly due to its location in the sub-tropics. The complex incorporates extensive glazing to facilities natural lighting and offer visual connections to the surrounding landscape. Furthermore, the project includes several notable environmentally sustainable design (ESD) features, such as a 90kWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) roof-mounted system, four electric Vehicle charging stations, high-star WELS ratings for sanitary fixtures, and a 90,000L rainwater tank.

Accor Stadium is the largest Olympic stadium ever built and, during the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it hosted 110,000 people. Designed from the beginning to shrink to a more sustainable 85,000 seats, the philosophy behind the stadium was to provide a flexible, multi-functional and economically viable venue with widespread appeal, as an icon for a major international city.

The stadium is a model of green, functional, cost-effective design and is still regarded as one of the most environmentally sustainable stadia in the world. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) wanted the Sydney Olympics to be the ‘Green Games’. Innovative environmentally sustainable measures that were introduced into the main stadium included recycling rainwater from the roof into underground storage tanks to irrigate the pitch and a range of passive design measures including ventilation and natural cooling/heating.

Accor Stadium was also designed with the digital revolution in mind. The stadium was future-proofed with the necessary infrastructure and cabling so it could respond to ongoing future advances in technology. The roof design and material used not only provide maximum weather protection but also an improved television picture for at-home viewers.

The award-winning design subsequently launched Australia’s future in environmental design, forming the Green Building Council and Greenstar rating tool.

ICC Sydney, by joint venture partners HASSELL + Populous, includes three world-class venues which create a cohesive overall precinct, while at the same time giving each building its own personality and unique architectural character - from the cool reflective style of the convention centre to the warm natural features of the exhibition centre, and the vibrant energy of the theatre.

The precinct reflects the dynamism of Sydney’s cityscape, redefining Darling Harbour while respecting the precinct’s parkland setting. One of the most important features of ICC Sydney is that it provides more public open space than before, a better space with greater amenity for everyone. It is about being open, welcoming, and enjoying what makes Sydney a truly global and unique city.

ICC Sydney is part of the socially and environmentally responsible Darling Harbour Regeneration Precinct which achieved a 6-star Green Star Communities certification from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and LEED Gold Certification in June 2017, making it one of the largest LEED Gold projects outside of the US, recognising its all-encompassing approach to sustainability. Its 520kW PV solar array is the largest in any Australian CBD, and the community-owned array produces 545MWhr/year, which is enough energy to power 100 homes, and also powers approximately 5% of the baseline energy for the precinct. ​ The inclusion of highly efficient water facilities was a key design consideration, and rainwater that falls on the exhibition centre roof is diverted into a 200-kilolitre tank. From there, the harvested water is recycled to meet 100% of the precinct’s irrigation demands and 63% of toilet flushing demands.

This multi-purpose venue sits adjacent to Rod Laver Arena and has brought a new world-class tennis centre to the community, one that is known for its flexibility and capability to host events from sports to musical concerts.

The development of Margaret Court Arena added a new level of efficiency and flexibility to the precinct and means that during the Australian Open, the main courts are not disrupted by extreme weather conditions, and there is greater connectivity to Rod Laver Arena. The arena has large areas of glazing which maximises views to the surrounding precinct and parkland and exposes the internal architecture and spaces to passers-by. Furthermore, the venue features back-of-house access and courtside VIP seating to fully immerse fans in the event experience.

Margaret Court Arena was the first Australian sport and entertainment venue to be awarded LEED Gold certification for sustainable design solutions, including shading overhangs that block summer sun but allow winter sun; a cool roof that reflects the suns heat; an operable roof that allows air conditioning and lighting systems to be reduced when conditions are favourable; high performance glazing; energy efficient lighting and air conditioning systems; reuse of existing structures; recycling of waste generated in construction; rainwater flushed toilets that are connected to a site-wide water harvesting system; water efficient fittings; environmentally preferable refrigerants used for all air conditioning and refrigeration equipment; sustainably sourced timber; and, sub-metering of energy and water consumption.

Populous has been appointed as Lead Architect for the EUR100 million Stade de la Meinau renovation project in Strasbourg, France. Owned by the Strasbourg municipality, the football stadium is the home ground of Ligue 1 club, Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace.

Sustainability has been key to Populous’ design strategy and includes an innovative upcycling approach to reuse Airbus A340 fuselages for the main façade sunshade. The project will take significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint and careful attention will be paid to the protection and retention of the local ecology. Materials from the original building that are removed in the demolition process will be utilised in the construction process for the new renovations, and a suite of new environmentally sustainable design features will be incorporated into the building such as ​ Installation of circa 1,000m2 of photovoltaic panels to the roof of the South Stand, rainwater recycling facilities, site connection to a heat network powered by renewable energy (biomass) and Long-lasting LED lights.

The design seeks to modernise the existing stadium, bringing it firmly into the 21st century and allowing it to meet all the necessary requirements for hosting major sporting events, such as the French Ligue 1 Championship and Champion’s League games, as well as international games. The scheme will increase the stadium’s capacity, create new fan spaces, and expand the South Stand – improving fan experience and opening significant new revenue streams to the Club. ​ Commencing on site in May 2022, the project will be completed in July 2025.

Climate Pledge Arena is poised to become the world’s first arena to earn a net zero carbon certification from the International Living Future Institute. This sustainable commitment led to an all-electric arena powered entirely by renewable energy, such as its on-site solar installations. The arena is also on track for zero waste consumption, through initiatives such as composting, recycling, elimination of single-use plastics and food waste diversion to local organizations.

The arena is also designed to employ numerous sustainable practices and operations. The facility is powered solely on renewable energy sources, including on-site solar energy on the atrium roof. The site design builds strong connections with the monorail and provides space for electric vehicle charging stations and bike valet services.

The design also supports water conservation systems — such as harvesting rainwater from the roof to turn it into the greenest ice in the NHL — and zero waste initiatives. The venue is home to a 200-foot living wall with greenery hanging overhead, an Amazon vision that Populous brought to life. The space also features an LED wall that details the importance of developing a zero-carbon arena.