OVERVIEW
The Recovery Hub forms the second phase of development at Norwich City Football Club’s Lotus Training Centre. Specifically designed to support elite-level player recovery, the facility features a 15-metre swimming pool, a HydroWorx underwater treadmill, aqua therapy zones, and integrated camera systems to monitor player movement and rehabilitation. Strategically positioned at the heart of the training campus, the building is designed for seamless connectivity with surrounding facilities and is finished to an exceptionally high standard. A substantial basement houses the extensive mechanical and electrical plant required to operate the highly specialised recovery equipment.
CREATE’S ROLE
We were initially appointed as Building Services Engineer in 2020 to support the planning application, and were subsequently retained to deliver our services through RIBA Stages 3, 4 and 5. Our team worked as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary project team including LSI Architects, Richard Utting Associates, Clancy Consulting, and Devin Consulting, with local contractor PJ Spillings delivering the build.
Our roles, technical services and outputs included:
- MEP Performance Specification
- Energy Statement
- RIBA Stage 2 Concept Design
- RIBA Stage 3 Developed Design
- RIBA Stage 4 Technical Design
- Contractor Proposals and Design Reviews
- UKPN Load Monitoring Review
- Technical Submittal Review
- RIBA Stage 5 Construction Duties
- Amendments to MEP Design (Changing Room Reconfiguration)
- Incoming Electrical Supply and Feeder Pillar Design
CHALLENGES
The highly specialised nature of the recovery equipment demanded complex and extensive MEP plant. Accommodating this within a building designed to feel calm and uncluttered required close collaboration with the architect and structural engineers to conceal services discreetly throughout, whilst also coordinating the incoming electrical infrastructure with UK Power Networks.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND BENEFITS
Planning approval was secured from South Norfolk Council in October 2021. Through close collaboration with the design team, the MEP services were integrated and concealed throughout the building to create the high-quality, uncluttered environment the club required. The completed Recovery Hub provides Norwich City with a world-class player welfare facility at the heart of their training campus.
