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Britannia Leisure Centre
In collaboration with the London Borough of Hackney, we sought to create an inclusive space that enriches the health and wellbeing of everyone in the local community.
Summary
Community leisure centre in Hackney
Client
London Borough of Hackney
Location
London, UK
Size
8,069m²
Completion
2021
Britannia leisure centre hackney london person swimming in pool 10x11
Vision
Britannia Leisure Centre was built as part of the largest public-sector investment in the London Borough of Hackney for a generation. The local council sought to address community health inequalities by creating a welcoming and accessible sports centre. Our solution features stacked training and recreational swimming pools, a café, a sports hall, squash and tennis courts, five-a-side football pitches and a fitness suite - all overlooking the green expanse of Shoreditch Park.
Britannia leisure centre hackney london from shoreditch park daytime g
Britannia leisure centre hackney london views into leisure pool fg
Britannia leisure centre hackney london tennis and basketball in sports hall fg
Sport for all

The thoughtful design of Britannia makes it feel energising. Its pools and exercise studios are arranged around the outer edges, meaning passers-by get a view of people moving and playing inside, hopefully encouraging participation. From inside, there are expansive views over Shoreditch Park.

Britannia leisure centre hackney london swimmer and lifeguard in pool 3x4
Britannia leisure centre hackney london physical sectional model showing stacking of sports spaces 10x11
A stacked form
Britannia was designed as part of a larger masterplan, which also included a new secondary school, sixth form college and much-needed new homes. To maximise both value and green space for the community on the site, the building has a simple, efficient form.
Britannia leisure centre hackney london physical sectional model showing stacking of sports spaces 10x11
Britannia was designed as part of a larger masterplan, which also included a new secondary school, sixth form college and much-needed new homes. To maximise both value and green space for the community on the site, the building has a simple, efficient form.
Britannia leisure centre hackney london physical exploded axo showing stacking of sports spaces 10x11
Large spaces for sport are stacked and interlocked, with the pools at ground level, sports hall and fitness suite above, and a rooftop which re-provides two tennis and 5-a-side courts which previously stood on the same site.
Britannia leisure centre hackney london physical exploded axo showing stacking of sports spaces connections 10x11
Large spaces for sport are stacked and interlocked, with the pools at ground level, sports hall and fitness suite above, and a rooftop which re-provides two tennis and 5-a-side courts which previously stood on the same site.
Britannia leisure centre hackney london closeup detail of facade 3x2
Britannia leisure centre hackney london rooftop tennis courts fg
Community impact

Britannia is a reflection of one of London’s most diverse boroughs. When creating the masterplan, we collaborated with local students, sports teams and trusts in 59 community consultation events. This included working closely with groups such as the Black Swimming Association and Project Indigo—Hackney’s LGBTQI+ youth group—to understand the barriers to participation in sport and leisure.

This engagement informed features such as inclusive and accessible changing areas, pool areas that can be screened for privacy for specific user-groups, accessible pool facilities for wheelchair-users and special educational needs sessions.

The result is a welcoming and inclusive building that has improved health and wellbeing in the community. By ensuring sport and movement are accessible to all, Britannia has increased local participation in fitness, swimming and sports by more than 160%.

Britannia leisure centre hackney london water fitness class 3x2
Britannia leisure centre hackney london child playing in leisure pool 3x4
"Britannia is a visible embodiment of our commitment to rebuild a fairer Hackney. It is a fantastic, state-of-the-art and truly inclusive building."
Philip Glanville,
Mayor of Hackney

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