SARO
SARO, Sports Architecture Research Office
Sports Architecture Research Office

Sports
infrastructure
strategy.

SARO advises clubs, federations, and councils on facility planning, funding, and procurement. The advice draws on 15 years of sports infrastructure delivery, from community aquatic centres to Olympic venues.

Founded by Jake Martin, a registered architect and Green Star Accredited Professional. SARO does not compete for design commissions. The advice is independent.

View the PortfolioHow I Work
Selected projects

Selected projects

All 16 Projects
Northshore Vision 2050
Buchan · 2024–Present
Northshore Vision 2050
Brisbane, QLD · 60,000 seats
Kai Tak Sports Park
Populous · 2018
Kai Tak Sports Park
Hong Kong · 5,000 seats (athletics) / 28-hectare precinct
State Netball & Hockey Centre
dwp.design · 2019
State Netball & Hockey Centre
Parkville, Melbourne, VIC · 5,000 seats
Commonwealth Games 2018 Athletics Overlay
Populous · 2017–2018
Commonwealth Games 2018 Athletics Overlay
Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, QLD · 25,000+ (Carrara) + 15,000 temporary
Super Bowl XLIX
Populous · 2015
Super Bowl XLIX
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
GMHBA Stadium Stage 4 Redevelopment
Populous · 2015–2016
GMHBA Stadium Stage 4 Redevelopment
Geelong, VIC · 33,500 seats
Kai Tak Sports Park · 22.3260°N 114.2000°E · 581 m relief
About SARO

Between the boardroom
and the design studio.

About Jake Martin

SARO is not an architecture practice. It is an independent advisory for sports facility development, providing the feasibility, funding, and procurement expertise that determines whether a project succeeds before a single drawing is produced.

Advice comes directly from Jake Martin, whose delivery record runs from Super Bowl XLIX overlay to one of Australia's first 5 Star Green Star aquatic centres. The same rigour that major government projects demand, applied at every scale.

2024 to now
Buchan
Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues
2018 to 2024
dwp.design
Community sports and aquatics
2013 to 2018
Populous
Major stadia, US secondment
Services

From business case till game day,
we're here to help.

Full Services
01
Strategic Facility Planning
Needs analysis, demand assessment, program definition.
02
Government Funding and Grants
End-to-end grant applications for state and federal programs.
03
Feasibility and Business Cases
Technical and financial feasibility, board-ready documentation.
04
Procurement Advisory
Delivery method selection, architect briefs, tender evaluation.
05
Event Overlay Design
Temporary venue infrastructure, from the Super Bowl to the Commonwealth Games.
06
Sustainability Advisory
Green Star strategy and delivery for sports facilities.

Have a facility project?

Whether you are planning a new facility, writing a grant application, or navigating a procurement, the first step is a scoping conversation. No obligation, no jargon.

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