Newcastle upon Tyne, UK - Sport
Founded on the back of the Newcastle United Football Club brand, the Newcastle United Foundation is a charity which supports young people and adults in disadvantaged areas in and around the north of the Tyne. This facility is the central hub for the charity to provide opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy sports, leisure, wellbeing and personal development activities.
The Foundation requested a transparent, welcoming building for those within the local community. The building was designed to house a number of wide ranging facilities, from four court sports hall, U8 mini soccer rooftop pitch, spin studio, and an activity studio, as well as a STEM classroom and open office space, helping drive forward community development.
NUCastle has increased the range of people the Foundation has been able to support. A glazed façade into the social space at the building’s main entrance and into the studios and office supports the client’s aspiration for a transparent building, which would allow users and the wider community to engage with the work of the charity, interact with one another and feel integrated.
In the first three months alone, the building welcomed visitors from across the community and is expected to welcome 100,000 people annually. More than 30 educational establishments and 3,000 young people have attended sessions at the facility. Each week the facility provides 12 sessions for disabled users and runs a range of health and wellbeing sessions for participants of all ages.
Steve Beharall
Head of Newcastle United Foundation.
Construction News Awards
Project of the Year (under £20m)
RICS North East
Community Benefit Award