Collaborating once again with David Morley Architects, Max Fordham was part of the design team for University of Nottingham’s new sports centre, one of the largest in the UK.

The construction of the modern and efficient sports centre makes for an exceptional, inspiring and accessible sports structure for students, staff and the wider community. The facility boasts numerous facilities including a fitness suite, climbing wall, glass squash courts, a hypoxia chamber, an indoor sprint track and a main hall with retractable seating, that is used for international sports events.

We provided M&E and Acoustic design services. Our work contributed to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions, which was achievable through natural and mixed mode ventilation in all areas except for the main sports hall, which features mechanical ventilation with air volume control to save energy.

The use of a VRF heat pump cooling system serves the areas that need cooling. All mechanical ventilation and heating and cooling systems are centrally controlled by a BMS, ensuring harmonized and energy efficient usage. Our design contributed to a 10% renewable energy provision with the use of PVs and a gas CHP unit.

Our acoustic design controls noise levels and intelligibility, both when the centre is used to hold 1,500 people for the University’s graduation ceremonies, or when being used as 20 badminton courts.

Lighting energy use is reduced by extensive use of LED lighting and automatic lighting controls that respond to daylight.