Alfriston School Swimming Pool

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Alfriston School is a specialist sports college in Buckinghamshire. The design team was commissioned to replace an existing swimming pool with a new, up-to-date facility. The project developed to include a refurbished gymnasium, new, enlarged changing facilities, staff offices and a fitness suite. The new pool building is also open to the local community. The folded roof creates a dramatic internal landscape and also serves as an acoustic baffle, thus preventing a high reverberation of sound. A continuous glazing strip provides panoramic views, while the roof’s exposed timber elements create a visual counterpoint to the woodland nearby.

Judge's comment:

All aspects of this visually and functionally highly attractive project were subject to careful sustainability assessments, with choices being driven by selections that were advantageous from a sustainability viewpoint but which met all the performance requirements. Demonstrates how focussing on sustainability need not compromise the design.