Gwel an Mor Holiday Village, Indoor Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre

Client: Gwel an Mor

Location: Portreath, Cornwall

The holiday village owners decided to extend the range of facilities for holidaymakers by introducing a leisure centre. This would include a swimming pool, spa, steam room, sauna and gymnasium. The sloping site necessitated an environmentally sustainable building, which would also be economical to run. Exploiting the steeply sloping site with open views, the new timber frame leisure centre is partially tucked into the hillside. It is clad with half-round timber on all elevations to give a rustic character and has an overhanging roof, finished with locally sourced Cornish slate.

Without doubt the main attraction is the 12m x 6m swimming pool with integral spa. The open truss design allows natural ventilation and gives an airy feel in the pool and adjacent relaxation area.

Sliding doors lead out on to a decked area where guests can relax and take in the views.

The indoor leisure centre has been well received by all. The building has more than met the client's expectations. This building is a further example of how Pinelog can produce visually arresting architecture which is still sympathetic to the environment.