Northern England : David Guy

David Guy, North Yorkshire, England : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2002

[ urban : leisure centre : pool : concrete : timber : heritage issues ]

Victoria Leisure Centre, Nottingham, England

David Guy , Levitate Architects

Victoria Leisure Centre is a new chapter in the provision of leisure facilities on this historic site in the centre of Nottingham city, which extends a nationwide campaign to promote health, leisure and wellbeing as core components of contemporary city life.

Originally commissioned to carry out an options study in October 2008, Levitate began by researching the centre’s history, a timeline back to the 1850’s open air baths and culminating in a 1970’s faceless monolithic brick range of squash courts. The decision was made to retain the 1890s clock tower as an entrance to a new state of the art facility with a community pool, café and fitness suite with views out to Sneinton Market Square.

The new façade is designed to sit in harmony with the clock tower while resolving level changes and edge conditions that relate to the newly pedestrianised square. The configuration of the concertina façade screen echoes with the geometry of the pool’s baffled rooflights, in response to key functional requirements, to reduce glare for the lifeguards, and to create a balance between engagement and privacy.

The main entrance of the building is under the existing clock tower, the reception area is located within the historic building, that leads to a double height foyer from which every part of the facility can be accessed.

The pool hall is designed to have a calm warmth. This is achieved by generous proportions, the use of cross laminated timber for the roof structure, an abundance of controlled natural light, and an absence of ventilation paraphernalia.

The relationship between the interior of the pool hall and the public square was a key generator of the design.

Photography : Martine Hamilton Knight

Levitate Architects

http://levitate.uk.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston29 July 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org