This innovative elite international sports facility in Sheffield was designed for the 1991 World Student Games and John was lucky enough to work on the International Design Competition as a freshly-qualified Architect. And then, having won the project, John led the team developing the pool hall and spectator seating part of the project under the watchful eye of the Project Leader.
It was a steep learning curve in how to construct a large and complex sports facility with integrated sophisticated systems – in an elegant and coherent and highly detailed way. John got to design the diving stages and 3m springboard platforms as part of the project and is always proud when these feature on televised swimming or diving fixtures.
He then became the sole Site Architect for the duration of the build on site, not just for the Pool Hall, but the whole of the building – Entrance, Café, Bars, Leisure Pool, Sports Hall and car parking. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn a huge amount from this experience.
John and Kevin first met on this project and worked together on parts of the supporting infrastructure.
Even many years on, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre stands the test of time as both an elegant piece of architecture and the facility is still regarded as one of the very best 50m – and fastest – pools and diving facilities in Europe.
Copyright 2020