Hollybush Lakes Aquatic Sports Centre, Hampshire Architecture, English Leisure Building Images
Hollybush Lakes in Aldershot, Hampshire
23 Sep 2020
Hollybush Lakes Aquatic Sports Centre
Design: Baca Architects
Location: Aldershot, Hampshire, South of England, UK
Staycation Destination
Baca Architects submits scheme for new Hampshire leisure development
Baca Architects has submitted a scheme for planning which will create a new eco-sustainable leisure destination located around six man-made lakes on a 15.5-hectare site near Aldershot, Hampshire. Hollybush Lakes is to be transformed from its former commercial uses as a scrap metal breakers yard and landfill site into a serene getaway focused on water-based and equestrian pursuits, complete with an aquatic sports centre, equestrian facilities and floating lodges.
The natural setting of the location will be restored, increasing its ecological diversity, the existing fishing facilities will be enhanced and the Blackwater Valley footpath which runs through the site will be re-opened to the public.
The two-storey aquatic sports centre sits at the heart of the development and serves as the point of arrival for guests with a reception area housed within its impressive double height atrium and the hub for activities such as kayaking, boating and a seasonal aqua fun inflatable assault course.
Designed to “emerge” from the existing earth bund, which acts as a natural flood defence, the centre will include overnight accommodation for visitors and staff accessed through a dedicated entrance and offering views over the equestrian fields. There will also be an informal elevated restaurant providing a panoramic vista over the lakes through its fully glazed façade and from its sheltered outdoor terrace as well as a state-of-the-art gym and changing facilities.
The new equestrian centre will comprise indoor and outdoor schooling facilities together with stabling and is envisaged as an amenity for the local community as well as a destination for equestrian tourism. Surrounded by an earth bund, the perimeter of this plot is to be planted as a wildflower meadow – a delightful area of grazing for resident horses.
Already acknowledged for its excellent carp fishing, the rejuvenated Hollybush Lakes is set to become the fisherman’s ultimate staycation as 21 floating fishing lodges will offer guests the chance to become fully immersed in nature. The self-contained lodges will vary between two to four bedrooms making them ideal for couples seeking a peaceful retreat or families wanting a holiday that will entertain all generations. They will be accessed via a series of raised walkways surrounded by reeds, lending each lodge privacy and the experience of serenity.
Commenting on the proposal, Richard Coutts, Principal of Baca Architects, says: “Our scheme represents the opportunity to return Hollybush Lakes back to nature for public enjoyment and ecological enhancement while creating an exemplar leisure destination in the south of England for people wanting a serene, yet active, retreat into nature.”
The scheme is due to be determined at the end of the year.
About Baca Architects
Baca Architects was founded in 2003 by Richard Coutts with the aim of integrating landscape and low carbon technology to create beautiful and enduring buildings.
Since then, the architecture practice has established a core specialism in innovative waterfront design and flood resilience, and Richard has become one of Europe’s foremost experts on designing with water. He is an advisor to the UK government’s Core Cities Floods Advisory Group and has recently been recognised as a Fellow RIBA.
As Clients’ sought to build multiple flood resilient units – Baca advanced the LifE philosophy (developed for Defra in 2013) to include the “Blue Drempel,” derived from the Dutch word for threshold, it is a non-defensive planning framework that locates architectural housing types according to flood risk: floating within the river; amphibious; elevated; resilient (dry proof and wet proof) to traditional to correspond with diminishing flood risk; and to connect these with the least amount of road and servicing infrastructure to allow as much space for natural landscaping. This philosophy will provide c200 homes in Hull (with Harper Perry Architects) and a further c1400 homes in Portsmouth.
Hollybush Lakes, Aldershot, Hampshire images / information received 220920
Location: Hollybush Lakes, Aldershot, Hampshire, southern England, UK
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Website: AR Design Studio
