Situated between a residential neighbourhood and the edge of a wooded landscape in Loon-Plage, France, TCLP by ZITA Architectes expands an existing tennis club to accommodate four new padel courts, upgraded changing facilities, and a public plaza that strengthens the club’s role as a community destination. Designed to host regional, national, and international competitions, the project demonstrates how sports infrastructure can support environmental performance through bio-based construction, passive design, and careful resource management.
Rather than treating the expansion as a purely functional addition, the design integrates the new facilities within the existing campus while creating welcoming public spaces that encourage everyday use beyond organised sporting events.
Bio-based construction and structural efficiency
A defining feature of the project is its extensive use of renewable timber as the primary construction material. The structural system is formed from glued-laminated spruce, while the exterior is clad in Douglas fir, creating a durable and low-embodied-carbon envelope. Internally, ceilings combine wood fibre panels and poplar plywood, reinforcing the building’s warm architectural character while supporting acoustic performance.
The padel hall is supported by a structural framework of solid timber and glulam posts and beams sourced from the French regions of Vosges and Jura, reducing transportation distances and supporting regional forestry industries. An engineered network of inclined W-shaped timber posts distributes structural loads efficiently while minimising material use.
Passive environmental strategies
The project adopts a restrained environmental approach appropriate for a sports facility. The padel courts are fully insulated to improve thermal stability but remain unheated, reducing operational energy demand compared to conventional enclosed sports halls.
Heating and domestic hot water for the changing rooms are supplied by the existing technical plant serving the original tennis club, avoiding the environmental cost of installing duplicate mechanical systems. Above the courts, two large rooflights introduce natural daylight into the playing areas, reducing reliance on artificial lighting while improving visual comfort for players and spectators.
Water conservation and long-term resilience
Rainwater management forms an integral part of the environmental strategy. Runoff is collected in an underground storage tank and reused for irrigating the padel courts and landscaped outdoor areas, reducing potable water consumption and supporting sustainable site management.
Perforated metal façade panels also contribute to environmental performance by improving acoustic comfort while allowing natural ventilation around the enclosed sports spaces.
