WATSON'S SPORTS HALL

Location: Colinton, Edinburgh

Client: George Watson’s College

Programme: Completed 2008

The original sports complex at the school developed incrementally around a 1930s building and the entire complex has now been refurbishment to meet the changing requirements of sports teaching and to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

The key aim of the project was to provide facilities of a high contemporary standard, primarily for school use but also for after-hours clubs. An overall concept was developed which could be delivered in phases, the first of which was this new-build multi-purpose sports hall with an Olympic standard sprung sports floor.

The sports hall is extensively used by the School and for letting purposes as an income generator for a variety of sports, including cricket, basketball, badminton, volleyball, indoor hockey and football.

The hall is flooded with diffused natural light through a large area of translucent panels in the south elevation.

Also included is a new viewing gallery looking into both the new sports hall and an existing sports hall. This gallery is also often used as a teaching space and for filming training sessions and matches in the halls below.