Port Talbot Leisure Centre, Wales

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council developed the brief as the original facility was destroyed by fire in 2009.  Situated along the iconic Aberavon seafront, the site contained an existing shell building originally designed to house a Bowling Alley. The decision to incorporate the existing structure of the shell building into the new facility was a requirement of the client’s brief. Given the context and site constraints, these aspects heavily influenced the evolution of the design and internal layout.

The existing building perimeter was too restricted to accommodate the 8-lane swimming pool but could house the sports hall dimensions albeit with the roof raised in this area. Beginning with this fundamental parameter, the design was developed as an integrated facility which has three identifiable building zones:

• – The re-clad and re-roofed existing building with structural alterations.
• – A ‘back of house’ extension incorporating mostly plant etc.
• – The swimming pools and reception ‘block’ presenting the main public face of the facility.