Harlow Gateway Leisure Centre

Contractor: Leadbitter
Architect: Saunders Architects
Type of works: supply and installation of bespoke dual pitch skylight.

The Harlow Gateway Leisure Centre regeneration initiative is providing local people with new and improved sports and leisure facilities. Listed in the London 2012 Olympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, Harlow is one of just 65 elite venues in the East of England and one of 600 across the UK, to feature in the guide.

The building design incorporated two curved standing seam roofs intersecting above the main swimming pool. At the junction of the roofs, Saunders Architects designed a contemporary dual pitch feature skylight, running across the spine of the building and curved on both elevation and plan. Leadbitter, the main contractor, needed someone with a proven track record of designing, manufacturing and installing complex glazing systems.

Leadbitter Construction won the contract to deliver the new sports and leisure centre and work began in September 2008. With a proven track record of successfully helping their clients meet design aspirations as well as their programme and budget requirements, Leadbitter selected SkyLight Solutions to design, manufacture and install the glazing.

SkyLight Solutions worked closely with the Saunders Architects and Leadbitter to develop a completely bespoke facetted design that would hold the dynamic curvature of the glazed roof and also support the dimensional tolerances of the glulam framed building. With an amazing 326 individual glass units, the curved roof is 76 metres in length and has a 4.2m span at the widest dimension and 3.8m high at the ridge. The design consisted of a Schüco FW60+ aluminium framework glazing system and pre-treated and finished with a Marine Grade Synthatec polyester powder coating. It was glazed with 6mm grey body tinted heat soaked tested, toughened, 16mm argon filled cavity with silicone edge seal, and 8.8mm clear laminated Pilkington Therm 4. The high-performance framing and glazing prevents condensation build-up and maintains a controlled temperature inside the building at all times.

The challenging project was delivered to the highest standards and the innovative and challenging curved glazed roof with its central spine is a uniquely iconic design and structure. Specialising in bespoke skylights, SkyLight Solutions relished the challenges of this prestigious project. The finished glazing, curved on both elevation and plan is a unique and spectacular new landmark in the area.

A Harlow Gateway spokesman said: “When it is open, the sports and leisure centre will be one of the most modern facilities in the East of England Region - it will be really special. This is something that has now been acknowledged by its inclusion in the official London 2012 Olympic guide.”

“SkyLight Solutions demonstrated a proactive professional approach under a CDP Contract for the design and installation of a complex rooflight at the Harlow Gateway Leisure Centre. The resulting aluminium and glazed rooflight was curved on plan and profile with complex interfaces to the adjacent structure and roof. Throughout this process the SkyLight team worked closely with the designers, other subcontractors and the site management team to produce a signature design feature of the building.” Malcolm Jones, Project Director, Leadbitter

“We were very impressed with the detailed design service and the quality and workmanship of the completed installation offered by SkyLight Solutions.The rooflight was a very important visual element of the building and it was vital that both the detailing and the complex performance requirements were achieved. I look forward to working with them on future projects.” Andrew Carr, Associate, Saunders Architects