By embracing a steeply sloping site, West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre explores the idea of a building as layered strata of uses. A series of brick volumes – connected by an internal street – are embedded into the ground; a massing move that minimises the building’s impact on the domestic scale of its neighbours whilst providing the material to re-landscape the surrounding park. The building’s section generates a beneficial demarcation of public and private spaces and allows each of the varied uses to reveal themselves upon entry through the single front door. The 5,400 square metre scheme will provide a state-of-the-art NHS customer service centre, as well as an unorthodox mix of community and health facilities to deliver well-being services and improved open space to the Norwood residential population. These include a 25 metre swimming pool, a large health and fitness suite and gym, a dance studio, community meeting rooms, and both GP and dental surgeries.

2013
Location
Lambeth, London
Cost
£14.7 Million
Client
Building Better Health