Two existing, tired sports and leisure centres needed replacing, so we were appointed to design and develop the scheme from initial concepts through to completion. The tight urban site in Kensal Rise was to be turned into a major mixed-use development including a new sports centre, 56 residential apartments, 15 townhouses and a retail unit.
When designing the centre, it was important that it included a range of facilities to serve the community while complementing the urban setting. Accessibility was considered throughout the design process, and features such as a platform pool lift, a learner pool with movable floor, and smart glass for private swimming sessions were incorporated in the design.
Sustainability was a priority, with features including water efficiency measures, solar photovoltaic panels, bird nesting and bat boxes, and a brown roof for the protection of wildlife.
The completed sports centre comprises a wide range of facilities, including sports halls, swimming pools, a fitness suite, health suite and community facilities. The sports centre occupies the lower floors of the building to create a vibrant and active street frontage. It offers a high-quality community facility that can also be used at a competitive level.
The building has been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’.
