Moulton College Athletics
Building champions through design
A high-performance training environment for students and athletes, designed to support health, wellness, and elite sport.
The athletics facility at Moulton College forms a key part of the institution’s sports and physical education offer, delivering state-of-the-art outdoor training space. LBY Architects designed the facility to enable performance at every level, from grassroots fitness to elite development.
The building and associated running track, designed in collaboration with sports specialist Paul Hawkins Design, responds to both educational and community uses, supporting College and external club activities. Funded by the borough council and replacing an existing facility, it is designed to meet competition standards in both track and field.
Facilities That Perform
The scheme includes:
Indoor training and community use room
Modern changing facilities
Fully accessible changing room and toilets
Secure equipment and storage spaces
The building features a generous colonnade along the trackside, that provides shelter and a natural gathering space for students and visitors.
Expression of Strength and Simplicity
Externally, the design prioritises structural clarity and material honesty. It features:
Precast concrete panels and steel framing
High-level clerestory glazing for natural light
Industrial materials chosen for durability and ease of maintenance
Set within the wider Moulton College campus, the building complements the rural setting and features simple clean lines and highly robust finishes internally and externally. The provision of a generous colonnade on the building, backed by a playful coloured wall, helps to create a welcoming and friendly covered space that provides shelter in all weathers.
The details
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Client: Moulton College
Location: Northamptonshire
Completion: 2016
Building Type: Further Education, Sports Facility
Contractor: Smiths Sports & Civils (Building);
Thornton Sports (Track)
Value: £1.5m
Photographs: LBY Architects
APPROACH & INFLUENCE
Project Type: Sports education and training facility
Design Approach: Contextual design, robust material pallet, functional design
LINKS
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