Sports Centre, Middlesex University

This project is for sports buildings for Middlesex University on its Hendon Campus. In 1997 Middlesex University commissioned the practice to undertake a feasibility exercise into the introduction of racquet sports to the existing sports and fitness facilities on their Hendon Business Campus.

On completion of the feasibility study the University commissioned the practice to take the recommended option forward to a planning application. This option involved the introduction of 7 squash courts and a real tennis court, together with an indoor and an outdoor aerobics studio and new social and changing room facilities. It also included 2 outdoor tennis courts and associated landscaping works.

Funding dictated a phased approach and integrating the new and existing facilities in a manner that retains a sensible and logical internal organisation at each stage. Planning consent was granted in March 1998, following which the university asked the practice to take the first phase - the real tennis court, the social and changing facilities together with the external tennis courts and associated landscape works - forward for construction. This project was completed in summer 1999.

The RIBA Journal commented the “its graceful roof structure and sensitive use of colour and materials proves that a modern court can easily match the elegance of its predecessors."