Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre by West Hart Partnership is a multi-purpose scheme which integrates primary care with both fitness and wellbeing. The 7369sqm facility is designed to enhance collaboration and integration between medical practices, alternative treatments and physical activity. This simple, yet powerful concept has been realised through both the built form, expansive surrounding landscape and ecology of the site. The facility is located within the extensive Moor Park area of Blackpool and incorporates the existing public swimming pool. The plan form was generated through careful consideration of existing external travel routes with emphasis placed on desire lines and connectivity with the surrounding parkland. This is a public building and as such it was critical that wayfinding was simple, whilst being welcoming and inviting. The resulting building consists of a central hub, “the heart of the building” with two large wings housing the new facilities. This central hub provides immediate clarity and orientation for visitors with all areas accessed from this vibrant, open and uplifting central space. The external space created between the wings has been utilised for stimulating environments including play, rest, relax and social. In addition to the contemporary building, the surrounding external landscape design philosophy is a crucial element to the success of the scheme. This includes a very carefully considered sustainable drainage system (SUDs) strategy which takes a holistic approach as to how a large scheme interprets issues such as surface water capacity and rainwater recycling whilst enhancing the sites ecology.
