Win Win Win: Thoughts on sport architecture

How do you design these pathways?
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They’re all site specific but there is a fundamental diagram for interacting with these buildings. There should be a single line of entry so everyone knows where to park or where to get off the bus. It’s about starting with a clear diagram of the complex then translating that into clear and concise architecture. The form of the building can be many things but the pathways through that building need to be open and welcoming. Our approach is to take away everything extraneous and make the diagram as simple as possible before applying the architecture. A torturous pathway through a building ensures a complicated space; likewise, the more concise and clear you can make that pathway, the more cost effective your building will be.

How do these buildings create community?
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The community acquires ownership and identity around these buildings. A swimmer who goes there three or four times a week starts to think they’re going to ‘their pool’. Ideally, there’s a place where parent groups can gather together and have a coffee while their kids learn to swim; this helps to ensure these spaces become social hubs as well.

When you are working with tight budgets, where does the architecture come in?
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These projects always have tight budgets. Starting off with notions of clarity and simplicity means architecturally, the project might translate into something simpler and possibly more modular but not necessarily any less architectural. By using the tools of modularity, the budget can be spread further to keep some significant architectural value in the building. Building the space small means there is budget to make sure the building isn’t a barn. If the building’s not enticing and welcoming it will be shunned. Also, by keeping the building as small as possible, running costs will be lower in the future.