CPD Visit to Solent Sports Building

Date posted: November 2, 2018

On Wednesday a group from ArchitecturePLB travelled to Southampton to visit Solent University’s new sports building currently under construction. The £28m project is a key part of an ongoing estates development plan transforming Solent’s East Park Terrace campus. ArchitecturePLB are currently refreshing their 2015-6 Development plan, to create a new 2019 vision.

The building’s concept picks up on the ‘Dot-Dash’ language of the existing campus; its massing is made up of two volumes, a four-story tower accommodating gyms, teaching spaces and studios and a solid lower sports hall block. The gym tower has a striking perforated facade which wraps the entirety of the tower veiling certain windows and exposing others to reveal the activities within. At night the veiled windows will be revealed creating a dynamic change to the façade. The sports hall is wrapped in 3 types of black brick, with deep reveals to give a contrast and solidity to the forms.

The building is due to be completed by contractor Morgan Sindall in March and will be in full operation by the start of the 2019/20 academic year.