Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects has won the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) competition to design the Finsbury Leisure Centre in Islington, North London.
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The company was chosen among five shortlisted participants, including Grimshaw Architects, HawkinsBrown Architects, Henley Halebrown Rorrison Architects, and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
Islington Council's housing and development executive member Diarmaid Ward said: “Congratulations to Pollard Thomas Edwards on their competition victory.
“We look forward to working with them and the local community to create new high-quality affordable homes and improved community facilities for Finsbury residents including a new leisure centre, GP practice, and nursery.
“Like the rest of London, Islington faces a housing crisis, with a huge shortage of affordable housing. Projects such as this are another opportunity to build new council homes and help meet the housing needs of local residents.”
The new leisure centre will replace an existing complex built in 1960 and will feature new facilities such as an enlarged energy centre, nursery, health centre, sports pitches, and up to 124 homes all under one roof, reported Architects Journal.
The sawtooth structure of the recreation centre's roof will allow percolation of natural light to fill community spaces, reported Archdaily.
The nearby buildings including the East-West Nursery and four football pitches will be removed to create space for the new project.
Image: Design of the future Finsbury Leisure Centre in Islington. Photo: courtesy of RIBA Competitions.
