We use cookies to personalize and improve your experience on our site. Visit our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to learn more. You can opt out of some cookies by adjusting your browser settings. More information on how to do this can be found in the cookie policy. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.

Elswick Pool and Park

Napper Collerton Partnership, Newcastle, 1981

 

Subscribe now to instantly view this image

Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

The deep cantilever at the south end of the roof reduces glare in the pool 

Martin Charles     Download Original

  • The deep cantilever at the south end of the roof reduces glare in the pool    
  • The pool from the southern slope of the park    
  • External view    
  • The raked tiled plinth accommodates seating and is intended as some protection to the glazing    
  • Main elevation of the pool    
  • Entrance    
  • Entrance foyer with changing rooms and stair on the left    
  • Pool with signs on acoustic absorbers    
  • Interior of pool    
  • South-facing plant room    
  • Changing rooms off the foyer - the manager    
  • The original fountain moved from the earlier terrace to the west    
  • The pool building is cut into the slope on the site of the old hall    
  • Summer festival marquee    
  • Pedestrian entrance from east    
  • Bowling green and public library    
  • Gatehouse lodge    
  • Low key timber pergola and fencing    
  • Entrance gates to the park    
  • All-weather pitch and tennis courts    
  • Site location map    
  • Plans of pool    
  • Sections through pool    
  • Perspective sectional view    
  • Construction details of the pool    
  • Diagrammatic layout of services taken from the plant room    

The rejuvenation of an inner city park occupying six hectares of land in the west of Newcastle adding a series of outdoor facilities, a changing pavilion and a swimming pool

Designed in the context of the inner city improvement programme the development is an attempt to revive the areas amenities.

The swimming pool sits on the site of a neo-classical country hall and retains the architectural focus of the picturesque Victorian park in the same manner as the former hall. The freely expressed steel lattice structure supports a regular geometry of profiled metal sheet and roof glazing, contrasting with the reflective plane of the water surface and the natural forms of the interior planting. Importance of use of non-swimmers is also considered with generous pool-side areas and a cafe.

A brick and dark stained timber pavilion, with changing areas social room and kitchen provides amenities for the bowls, tennis and floodlight five-a-side football pitches, also sits within the park.

Data

  • Begun: Oct 1978
  • Completed: Jan 1981
  • Floor area: 2,178m2
  • Sectors: Sports and leisure, Public realm
  • Total cost: £1.3M
  • Tender date: Sep 1978
  • Procurement: Fluctuating JCT with quantities
  • Address: Beech Grove Road, Newcastle, NE4 6SQ, United Kingdom

Professional Team

Suppliers