A variety of spaces to suit all abilities from elite athletes to casual users
ArchitecturePLB for Solent University
Contract value: £28m
GIA: 6,599m2
Cost per m2: £4,243
Part of the main university frontage overlooking the city’s central parks, ArchitecturePLB’s Sports Department building for the university was designed to be ‘high impact’. The complex is a key part of the university’s wellbeing offering and is open to staff, students and the local community, and includes a variety of spaces to suit all abilities from elite athletes to casual users. It is also fully accessible. The complex is made up of two steel frame volumes. A low black-brick element contains two inward-looking high-performance sports halls. In contrast, the tower, with its perforated aluminium facade fronting gyms and teaching spaces, acts as the centre’s ‘window’, with views to the park and city beyond.