The first public swimming pool in Runnymede

This bright, secure, and comfortable environment upgrades local indoor and outdoor leisure facilities to encourage greater public participation.

Public engagement for the scheme was excellent. For maximum inclusivity we consulted disability user groups, and shared the design with De Montfort University who built a tactile 3D model to enable blind users to understand the proposals.

We overcame complex site challenges. The existing leisure centre had to remain operational, and its physical dominance restricted our architectural solution. We raised the whole building 1.25m on stilts to meet the flood risk requirements. Our design responds well to the tight conditions and varied topography, and maintains pedestrian links through the leafy, greenbelt setting.

The Orbit includes a 25m eight-lane pool with moveable floor and spectator seating, a 10×10 teaching pool, both with Poolpod access, four-court sports hall, 100-station fitness suite, exercise studios, indoor cycling, soft play, health suite with hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam, and treatment rooms, crèche, and a café with external terrace. Externally there is a civic area and four floodlit 3G football pitches. It achieved a Very Good BREEAM Rating for energy efficiency.