ON THE OUTSIDE AN INNOVATIVE MIX OF LED, METAL AND BRICK SLIPS – ON THE INSIDE AN INNOVATIVE TYPE OF COMMUNITY

The Broadway Malyan architects are active on a global scale, but their recent projects have focused solely on the world’s major metropolises, São Paulo, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai and, of course, London. However, Liverpool, a city of not even half a million people, doesn’t quite fit into this pattern. And neither does this building on Merseyside – an unusual mix of materials and shapes – but all very state of the art.

There was a budget of approximately 20 million euros for the 6,600 m² area designated for sport in this public building project. There was also a further 1.400 m² of space, in respect of which funding from the Big Lottery Fund was provided for a youth centre, as well as outdoor BMX and skateboard parks. All with various operators but linked by a huge atrium flooded with daylight. This makes the monitoring of all activities easier and also provides both sides with an event area capable of holding 900 people. Simply World Class.

On the outside an innovative mix of LED, metal and brick slips. On the inside an innovative type of community. The dynamic appearance of the building itself no doubt makes it easier for the athletes and other sportspeople to be dynamic too. The complex includes two 25m pools - an 8 lane competition pool and a 4-lane training pool, as well as retractable grandstands for 300 people, squash courts, two dance and multi-purpose studios, a 120 station fitness suite and a multi-area sports hall. The youth centre features a day centre for disabled people as well as public media, music, art and youth counselling rooms, and a cookery studio. A core element of the project was also a responsible approach to energy-management and the need to ensure sustainable usage. This led, among other things, to the decision to implement a breathable External Thermal Insulation Composite System with Keravette^® metallic black cladding, and an energy supply based on renewables.