In the ever-evolving landscape of leisure, the use of engineered timber has emerged as a key material. Sustainable, efficient, and visually striking, timber has become the material of choice for forward-thinking developments across the UK.
Few projects demonstrate this better than the newly completed Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham, Medway, a £23.6 million facility that places timber at the heart of its architectural and environmental performance.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (Glulam) have long been appreciated for their aesthetic and structural qualities. In the leisure sector, where user experience and environmental performance are key priorities, engineered timber can also offer exceptional sustainability credentials, superior insulation and excellent airtightness.
For decades, B&K Hybrid Solutions (BKHS) has been involved in the construction of leisure facilities, using timber as a structural material – from early projects such as Victoria Leisure Centre and Rugby Leisure Centre, that featured exposed glulam beams, to large, state-of-the-art CLT and hybrid timber-steel structures, like the Eclipse Leisure Centre and Cozenton Park Sports Centre.
COZENTON PARK SPORTS CENTRE
Cozenton Park Sports Centre exemplifies timber’s advantages when used in the leisure sector. With structural surveys revealing major faults with the original facility, replacing the outdated 1990s ‘Splashes’ pool complex was the only option.
The new centre was developed to meet Medway Council’s high sustainability targets while providing modern, inclusive amenities for the community. The centre includes a state-of-the-art gym, a multi-purpose studio, a main pool, and a dedicated children’s pool with flume and beach features, all housed within a structure designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising user comfort.
At Cozenton, BKHS facilitated the manufacture and installation of the hybrid engineered timber and steelwork structure on behalf of Willmott Dixon, including the CLT wall panels and the series of glulam columns and beams that frame the pool hall.
The design employed a prefabricated CLT and glulam structural system supported by steelwork elements, achieving the architectural intent without compromising on energy effi ciency or strength.
The exposed timber pool hall is a visually striking and high-performing highlight of the structure. Glulam beams and columns, measuring up to 1,700mm x 240mm, span 26.3 metres without intermediate supports, create a light, open space free of visual or physical obstructions, while also offering exceptional insulation, airtightness and durability.
These timber elements, combined with steelwork for additional structural support, demonstrate the capacity of engineered timber to deliver both architectural form and function. Adjacent areas, such as the two-storey gym and exercise studio, incorporate steel frames paired with CLT roof panels and profiled metal decking.
This hybrid approach allows each material to be used where it performs best: steel for tensile strength and load-bearing requirements; timber for its aesthetic, biophilic, insulating and environmental properties.
UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERED TIMBER
Engineered timber is one of the few construction materials that sequesters more carbon than it emits during production. Cozenton’s CLT and glulam elements lock in more than 314 tonnes of CO2 , helping the project achieve a 72% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional construction methods.
The project’s operational energy savings are equally impressive. The CLT walls and roof decks offer high levels of airtightness and thermal performance, contributing to projected annual energy savings of around £30,000. These performance gains are complemented by reduced long-term maintenance costs, making timber an economically smart choice for the client in addition to its environmental benefits.
Off site construction was integral to the project. All timber elements were precision-manufactured and prefabricated off site, before being delivered ready for rapid assembly. This approach not only ensured millimetre accuracy during installation but also significantly reduced site waste and vehicle movements by approximately 40%, compared to traditional builds.
Hybrid timber-steel solutions are ideal for use in the health and leisure sector, particularly when government funding is to be considered, as hybrid systems can provide both sustainability and cost-certainty benefits. Additionally, as leisure facilities are high energy consumers and can be prone to comfort and overheating issues, adopting low-energy standards can help councils meet their sustainability goals.
As local authorities and developers look to meet net zero targets and reduce embodied carbon in buildings, the demand for innovative materials continues to rise. B&K Hybrid Solutions are at the forefront of this movement, combining advanced off site manufacturing, material innovation, and engineering excellence to deliver buildings that are not only sustainable but strikingly beautiful.
Cozenton Park Sports Centre stands as a landmark example of what is possible when form, function, and sustainability come together, demonstrating the potential engineered timber and hybrid solutions can offer the leisure sector.
www.bkhybridsolutions.co.uk
“Engineered timber is one of the few construction materials that sequesters more carbon than it emits during production.
The leisure centre was renovated to replace the 1990s ‘Splashes’ pool complex.