Swimming pool complex

Derby City Council has revealed ambitions plans for a state-of-the-art swimming and recreation facility which designed by international design practice FaulknerBrowns Architects. Swimming pool complex

The facility, which is project managed by Mace, is being designed as a replacement pool complex alongside Moorways Sports Stadium.

The proposals include a ten-lane, 50-metre swimming pool. a water recreation area for families and a student pool. In addition to these aquatic areas, there are a number of additional features including a gym, exercise studio, sauna and steam rooms, a cafeteria and a play area.

The adaptable 50m pool contains two arms and two movable floors, giving the facility the flexibility to form three separate 25m swimming areas or a wide variety of other layouts.

The chosen site is adjacent to Osmaston Park and the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Campus. It includes undulating parkland with an area of protected woodland known as Elm Wood. This fantastic natural environment provides an opportunity to create a leisure destination where visitors can be active in a refreshing natural environment.

The nature of the proposed activities within the building led the design team to devise a simple, modular design, with two differentiated volumes. a "wet" and a "dry" box. Changes in the level of the undulating landscape have been addressed by stacking the boxes vertically, creating a natural entrance to the 'dry' upper volume. Large glass openings at each end of each box correspond to the different characters of the setting.

Swimming pool complex

The elevation treatment of the volumes creates two simple steel box gates, with a silver palate of materials that reflect and celebrate the city's enduring ties to the aerospace industry.

Michael Hall, Partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, said: “It is a great pleasure to be working with the Council again to integrate this 50m pool complex into its natural Moorways setting. The new facility has been designed to respect the site's sensitive environment while creating a strong and engaging visual presence that draws inspiration from the city's proud engineering heritage."

Councilor Baggy Shanker, Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance at Derby City Council, said: “I am very pleased with the proposals to deliver a modern and exciting new pool complex for our city. These plans will deliver for Derby's communities and help make Derby a great place to live, work and visit."

Paul Robertson, Senior Project Manager at Mace, said: “These proposals place a strong emphasis on exceptional quality in both design and material selection, whilst ensuring value is achieved and the project program continues to meet key milestones. With a combination of the leisure experience provided by FaulknerBrowns and a fantastic project team, we are confident of delivering an outstanding swimming and leisure facility for Derby.”