Ashington Leisure Centre
11th October 2016

Architectural aluminium systems by Kawneer have been used on the RIBA award-winning Ashington Leisure Centre in Northumberland.

Two types of Kawneer curtain walling – AA100 zone-drained and AA110 mullion-drained SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) with 50mm and 65mm sightlines respectively – alongside AA541 top- and side-hung casement windows and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors feature on the £16 million redeveloped centre.

Designed by frequent Kawneer specifiers Ryder Architecture for Northumberland County Council, the 6,400m2 integrated leisure and community facility was briefed in as the centrepiece for Ashington town centre’s strategic regeneration.

The building has significant glazed elements to the atrium, including clerestory glazing along its full length and full Kawneer curtain walling facades on the east and west elevations. The pool hall has a fully-glazed Kawneer façade to the west elevation and sits behind a series of feature concrete fins which frame the elevation, while the fitness gym is articulated as a feature projecting glass box.

Operated by Active Northumberland, the new building by Carillion on the 1.4-hectare site of a former supermarket is of steel frame with prefabricated concrete façade, zinc rainscreen and the Kawneer curtain walling which was installed, along with the Kawneer windows and doors, by approved sub-contractor SG Aluminium.

Ryder Architecture Associate Patrick McMahon said: “As an organisation we are very familiar with the Kawneer range of products and we have used Kawneer on several projects over recent years. In this particular scenario Kawneer was suggested by the contractor as a value engineering option which would achieve the desired quality whilst offering the client a saving.

“The curtain walling (including integral doors) has been used extensively within the pool hall, fitness gym and central atrium, with a combination of capped and capless incorporated. We also integrated louvre sun shading within the curtain wall system to both south and west-facing elements of the atrium.

“We designed the building around a limited palette of robust, high-quality materials. The curtain walling system provides very simple, neat, minimalist interface details against the concrete cladding to the façade and zinc rainscreen to the roof.

“Responsibly sourced building materials are a fundamental driver within our projects. Our curtain walling specification stated a requirement for BRE Green Guide A+ rating. The installed system satisfied both our aesthetic aspirations and the technical requirements of the project.”

Ashington Leisure Centre won a RIBA North East Award 2016 and was shortlisted in the RCIS Tourism and Leisure awards.

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