Swiss Cottage

Urban Leisure Centre Sees the light with Levolux

For the Swiss Cottage urban regeneration project in North West London, architect Farrells has specified a series of Western Red Cedar Timber louvres from market leader Levolux. The solution is protecting a new state-of-the-art leisure centre building from solar heat gain – whilst retaining all the benefits of natural daylight and external views.

A Public Private Finance initiative for the London Borough of Camden, the leisure centre forms part of a unique cultural, recreational and residential hub created for Swiss Cottage. Cleverly designed to house a sports hall, gym, county-sized swimming pool and changing rooms below ground floor level, the multi-purpose sports centre also offers a doctor’s surgery and affordable housing above.

incorporating good natural light and external views

To allow passers-by to enjoy the facilities, the structure is completely glazed – incorporating good natural light and external views to the main activity area. In addition, the centre’s focal Adelaide Road façade is dominated by a colourful climbing wall; and lit by changing fluorescent, UV and flood lights as well as UV paint applied to the climbing surface.

protecting the building from solar heat gain whilst ensuring natural daylight

In order to protect the building from solar heat gain, whilst ensuring natural daylight continues to fill the internal space, Farrells specified a series of timber brise soleil from Levolux.

Manufactured in Western Red Cedar for its sustainability and long-lasting resilience, the large timber louvres were installed around the entire perimeter of the leisure centre building as well as its climbing wall frame. Timber was also chosen for its aesthetic properties, to further enhance the building’s glassy outer envelope.

Four levels of vertically stacked timber louvres, measuring 3m long by 3.9m wide, were fitted around three sides of the climbing wall frame using steel brackets and held together by aluminium rods. The whole system was installed vertically at an approximate height of 6.5m, with each row measuring 150mm from top to bottom.

preventing birds nesting whilst maximising shading characteristics

Around the building’s entire external perimeter, a total of 165 Levolux timber louvre panels were installed at roof level, in varying widths of up to 4.8m. The sun screening system, fitted on all sides of the building, will minimise sun glare for future housing occupants and leisure centre users alike. The profile of the louvres was designed to prevent birds nesting whilst maximising shading characteristics.

Sir Terry Farrell said, “We have relished the opportunity to work with Camden Council to create a cultural heart for Swiss Cottage. Our original concept for a civic-cultural centre at Swiss Cottage has been realised.”

reducing energy costs

By preventing the sun hitting the glass, the louvres create comfortable internal temperatures thereby reducing energy costs such as heating and air conditioning.

Architect:	Farrells
Products used:	Timber Fins
	Bespoke Solution