Regional Sports Centres

The HOCA Practice are experienced in the design of sports centres, and were previously commissioned by a London Borough to design an indoor leisure and sports facility.
For this particular project three principals aims were established:
For this particular project three principals aims were established:
- To provide a facility of regional significance for indoor athletics training.
- To provide a local leisure facility offering a wide range of indoor sporting activities to all sections of the community.
- To provide a spectator stand for the outdoor athletics track and football pitch.
A detailed feasibility study was completed for this scheme.
It identified the need/demand, facility mix, proposed management and operating plan. In addition to the study, feasibility drawings were also prepared describing the essence of the design concept and project costs.
HOCA developed the detail design to completion bringing particular design expertise to the following areas:
It identified the need/demand, facility mix, proposed management and operating plan. In addition to the study, feasibility drawings were also prepared describing the essence of the design concept and project costs.
HOCA developed the detail design to completion bringing particular design expertise to the following areas:
Sprint Track:
Within the detail design process HOCA were asked to investigate the introduction of additional sporting activities to make the Arena Building a more worthwhile experience for the community, families and sporting individuals.
We revisited the Ground Floor areas and designed a solution whereby the sprint track was located at First Floor Level.
This one design decision allowed all additional features requested to be incorporated in compliance with the requirements of a Regional Sports Centre, and particularly important as a Regional Training Centre for national sports personalities.
Within the detail design process HOCA were asked to investigate the introduction of additional sporting activities to make the Arena Building a more worthwhile experience for the community, families and sporting individuals.
We revisited the Ground Floor areas and designed a solution whereby the sprint track was located at First Floor Level.
This one design decision allowed all additional features requested to be incorporated in compliance with the requirements of a Regional Sports Centre, and particularly important as a Regional Training Centre for national sports personalities.
Fitness Suite:
Recognised at Feasibility Design Stage to be one of the most significant activities given the scope of revenue it would generate.
The extent of the floor area was further assessed by the Client during the design development stage. It was found to be somewhat undersized for it to be a viable functional space.
HOCA explored some further design options and given the restrictions and limitation of available floor space within the building generally it was deemed impossible to enlarge the Fitness Suite horizontally.
However, we succeeded in creating the additional floor space through vertical expansion. By excavating into the ground for a depth of approximately 1500mm in conjunction with utilising the 5,000m height from ground to first floor level, we were able to introduce a mezzanine level. This allowed the overall floor area of the fitness suite to be increased and together with the formation of a gallery offered a more useable and viable space for a fitness suite.
Within the design development of the project HOCA were the first UK practice to apply an innovative concept for introducing internal day lighting into deep internal spaces. The Sun Tube solution continues to provide a superior aesthetic externally over more conventional approaches at the time. It offers a more environmentally-friendly solution given the Sun Tube provides 50% of lighting requirements.
Recognised at Feasibility Design Stage to be one of the most significant activities given the scope of revenue it would generate.
The extent of the floor area was further assessed by the Client during the design development stage. It was found to be somewhat undersized for it to be a viable functional space.
HOCA explored some further design options and given the restrictions and limitation of available floor space within the building generally it was deemed impossible to enlarge the Fitness Suite horizontally.
However, we succeeded in creating the additional floor space through vertical expansion. By excavating into the ground for a depth of approximately 1500mm in conjunction with utilising the 5,000m height from ground to first floor level, we were able to introduce a mezzanine level. This allowed the overall floor area of the fitness suite to be increased and together with the formation of a gallery offered a more useable and viable space for a fitness suite.
Within the design development of the project HOCA were the first UK practice to apply an innovative concept for introducing internal day lighting into deep internal spaces. The Sun Tube solution continues to provide a superior aesthetic externally over more conventional approaches at the time. It offers a more environmentally-friendly solution given the Sun Tube provides 50% of lighting requirements.
Visually Accessible:
Particular attention is directed towards the design of outside spaces and our creation of spaces for educational use. This is undertaken by adhering to the main principals contained within BB71 - "The Outdoor Classroom".
Particular attention is directed towards the design of outside spaces and our creation of spaces for educational use. This is undertaken by adhering to the main principals contained within BB71 - "The Outdoor Classroom".
The HOCA Practice made imaginative proposals about content and extended use of the building, which are helping with both capital and revenue funding of the project. In this sense The HOCA Practice is able both to respond to needs and to anticipate client's needs .....