Research

The brief was to imagine a future for the pool, and re-invigorate it as a sporting and community hub. The Trust’s holistic ambition aims to cater to people of all ages and abilities, supporting the community’s most vulnerable members. This vision however, is hampered by the restrictive existing plan and difficulties involved in adapting a former swimming pool to serve up a more diverse programme. Although the vision for the site is a radical departure from its initial scope, we have endeavoured to ensure viability on the tight budget. The hub brings not only added social value, but also becomes a more appealing offering to the staff at nearby healthcare sites. Spatial flexibility means conferences and larger public events are easily catered for, diversifying the revenue stream. The final vision is organised around a community core that will catalyse the project’s sustainability and viability.