UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON

The University of East London commissioned Ball Hall Limited, as a ‘one stop shop’ to provide a Design and Build sports facility for the University.  Clague, as Ball Hall’s consultant, were appointed as Architects to achieve a Full Planning Permission for a new facility based on the University’s brief.

To help inform the development of a potentially challenging site, Clague investigated the previous masterplans for the entire campus, which were produced by Richard Rogers in 1988 and Edward Cullinan in 1996.

Architecturally the building is uniformed under one roof.  This has allowed the mass to be broken down and at the same time articulate the facades and maintain an element of simplicity. Certain elements of the building are allowed to expose themselves within the facade, which gives the architecture clarity, in defining the buildings uses.  This is evident in the three iPAD dance studios in the East elevation; these spaces are double height and will become animated with silhouettes and drama when evening falls.  The fitness suite on the ground floor is enclosed by a glazed wall that wraps around its entirety, allowing views from both Gallions Reach and the Royal Albert Way.

Pedestrian access from the campus is directly from under the DLR.  A change in level means that as you enter the building you rise up a full storey height via a series of ramped and terraced steps to the main reception.  This is a secure point of entry into the actual facility.  Alternatively, pedestrians could continue on through and out of the building, to continue their journey to the dwellings on the North side of Royal Albert Way.

The facility has been designed to include a gym and fitness suite, a large indoor sports arena, ten badminton courts, two competition basketball , volleyball and netball courts, cricket bays, two five a side football pitches, a sports café and bleacher seating for 400 people, 2100sqm of academic teaching space over two floors, office accommodation and changing facilities.