Places Leisure Eastleigh, Eastleigh

 

The architect has cleverly transformed the typical leisure centre model into an open, inclusive space truly loved by its users. From the entrance there is a spectacular view through to the café and swimming pools. Thoughtful analysis has gone into maximising natural light to the rehabilitation rooms for patients being reintroduced to fitness activities; this is achieved by elongating the building’s ‘spine’. Grant funding from Sport England meant the project had to be delivered so that the capital cost would be repaid over the building’s lifetime. Within the parameters, the architect has created something impressive.