STOKEWOOD LEISURE CENTRE | Footprint Architects

Expanding facilities and redefining internal conditions at Stokewood Leisure Centre in Bournemouth was achieved through a fusion of insightful design and material decisions. 

The textured timber addition to the locally listed 1930’s property references both its physical and historical context. Playing homage with charred timber cladding to the fire that caused its revival into a leisure centre, the first storey rear extension demonstrates a respectful but innovative response to the site.

The external impression of the design is both striking and respectful, inventively referencing the surrounding pine trees through variations in both tone and scale of timber. The extension compliments its surroundings by displaying a vertical gradient of dark to light timber, mimicking the light conditions and colouring of the surrounding trees and giving the leisure centre a new striking appearance to set it apart from other gyms. 

The exterior design reflects and contributes to the serene nature of the interior. Vertical timber cladding is scattered in front of the high level windows and provides a unique quality of daylight within the space like the dappled sun light experienced through the canopy of a tree.