Dragon Leisure Centre,Bodmin
New construction materials are allowing
architects, specifiers and developers create distinctive buildings
that both look good and are highly durable. Profiled metal cladding
systems can help achieve impactful designs and has made a leisure
centre in Cornwall the talk of the town. Passers-by at the Dragon
Leisure Centre in Bodmin only need to look up to the building's
roof to discover that tennis is on offer inside. Yet the promotion
techniques at this Cornwall facility are far more subtle than
advertising banners flapping around in the wind. The roof has been
designed so that it imitates a tennis court, when it is viewed in
its entirety.
The Dragon Leisure Centre has always been one
for firsts. Built in 1988, it was the first facility in Cornwall to
include indoor tennis courts. The illusion on the roof, complete
with what looked like nets, raised a few eyebrows when it was
created. According to locals, the tennis net was the talk of the
town for some time. But 20 years on, what was once the jewel in
Cornwall's sporting crown was beginning to fade. The building was
having problems with condensation and a number of leaks were
developing. The roof was in serious need of replacement.
The exterior finish, complete with its tennis court illusion,
had started to deteriorate. While the leisure centre management
team were keen to retain the dramatic roof effects, all accepted
that refurbishment was required.
Modern metal cladding was selected as a way to
recreate the original concept, but with a 21st century edge,
dynamically transforming the leisure centre's identity. The
existing roof, which featured a duo pitch roof incorporating
cranked curved eaves, a barrel vault ridge with a cranked curved
sheet, was stripped and re-clad using Euroclad's Elite System 1.25
in Corus Colorcoat HPS200®. The cladding was specified in a
combination of colours including Moorland Green and Olive Green.
The combination of colours with the specialist curved eaves and two
metre high ridge detail retained the original impression of tennis
net.
Derek Putt, of the contractors Clegg and Shortman said: "Before
we started work, the building looked tired and clearly needed
updating. It is a project that we can be really proud of
because Dragon Leisure Centre is set in a valley and
the building can be seen from many vantage points. The architect
had given us detailed plans to work from and carrying out the
project was time-consuming because we had lots of small sheets to
fit. We were helped by having good quality materials to work with.
In addition to replacing the cladding, we also had to reinforce the
steel barrel vault sheets.
The building looks fresher than before and with clean lines
depicting a tennis court design on the outside of the tennis
centre".
Alan Roberts, Senior Technician at Mitchell Architects Ltd said:
"Building materials have evolved significantly
over the years making it easier to find suitable products for
almost any design. The client had very specific ideas for this
project and it was important to use a material that met all the
client's needs, looked eye catching and offered excellent
longevity".
Corus Colorcoat HPS200® (now superceeded by Corus Colorcoat
HPS200 Ultra®) is the most specified pre-finished steel product in
Europe due to its exclusive coating technology, superior
performance, wide colour range and a unique Confidex® Guarantee.
The colour and shape of a building can dramatically affect its
'personality' and the way it fits into its surroundings. From
looking at its roof the public will know that tennis is on offer in
the leisure centre, but step inside today and you find a facility
that is thriving thanks to a whole host of activities. There are a
range of exercise classes on offer, plus squash courts, a gym and
an indoor pool. But one thing is for sure, anyone new to the area
won't have a problem finding the Dragon Leisure Centre. Just
look up to the roof.
Dragon Leisure Centre - Project info
Architect - Mitchell
Architects Limited | Main Contractor/ Installer - Clegg & Shortman | View pictures of this project
More information on refurbishment can be found on the Corus
Refurbushment Portal Website:
www.beatthewolf.co.uk or download the Corus Who's
afraid of refurbishment? Technical Brochure
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