New Eton College Sports and Aquatics centre built using Schüco systems
Built on the site of a former outdoor pool, the redevelopment of Eton College’s sporting facilities features a 25-metre indoor pool, a versatile four-court sports hall and a study-café.
Architect: Hopkins Architect
Main contractor: Graham
Specialist contractor: NA Curtain Walling
Photo credits: Janie Airey
Products: FWS 60 SG, FWS 50 , AWS 70.HI, ADS 70 HD, GFT 50
Eton Sports and Aquatics Centre was created to provide students with the highest quality amenities commensurate with the status of the college. It was designed by Hopkins Architects to achieve BREEAM Excellent and includes high levels of natural daylight and ventilation, a green roof and PV panels.
From the outset of the project there were a series of tricky design challenges with the building’s external envelope, where interfaces and performance requirements needed to be resolved using a robust and adaptable product.
Specialist contractor NA Curtain Walling (NACWL) were involved early and Schüco systems quickly established as the appropriate products to specify. They offered the ability to complete unusual junctions, fixings and accommodate further complexities while meeting aesthetic design requirements.
Hopkins Architects visited previous Schüco projects completed by NACWL, including the English National Ballet headquarters, which showcased the level of integrated detailing and durable installation required for the Eton project. This gave the architects confidence to specify Schüco.
“Schüco is well respected throughout the industry for offering some of the best solutions for the building envelope. It’s particularly renowned for its ability to offer lots of options to achieve oversized glass panels and large opening vents,” said Simon Pearce, Design Manager at NACWL.
Project Architect, Tim Lynch of Hopkins Architects concurred, describing Schüco systems as the “default” choice, explaining that they are the top pick for designs demanding high-performance and flexibility.
Prioritising natural light and ventilation
Core to the design was filling the sports centre with an abundance of natural light. Schüco FWS 50 curtain walling was used to form the vast vertical glass screens that flood the main entrance and pool hall with daylight. The Schüco FWS 60 structural glazing system enables large-scale, all-glass façades and was used for the rooflights in the pool hall, allowing light to pour in from above.
The pool hall features a tall curtain wall junction interfacing with the north rooflight, necessitating a custom glass pane with extended drip lip edge. The inherent strength of the Schüco systems facilitated the rooflight transom and curtain wall mullion being secured together using bespoke brackets to maintain the desired minimal glass-to-glass edge.
The main entrance to the new sports centre features a double-height curtain wall with very large opening windows and glass-to-glass corner connections. Powered doors were integrated into the curtain walling using the Schüco GTF (Ground Floor Treatment) 50 system which comprises a pivot door and screen. This system is designed to meet the rigorous demands of high traffic entrance areas and has integrated anti-finger trap technology.
Eton Sports and Aquatics Centre was designed to be primarily naturally ventilated. Unusually, the Sports Hall is also naturally ventilated. This required a series of alternating opening windows and fixed frames that needed to be offset from the primary structure using bespoke head fixing brackets. The central lobby also features a high-level clerestory window, with alternating opening panes to help ventilate the space.
High-performance products, high-quality support
Getting the specification and fabrication of the building envelope right was key in assuring the sports centre achieved BREEAM certification. Schüco systems are inherently high performing, but the products used in this build were further enhanced for thermal performance. The Schüco AWS 70 highly insulated window system was selected and nearly all Schüco systems were fabricated with thermal breaks.
Schüco not only supplies expertly engineered systems but supports specifiers and its fabricator partners throughout the construction process.
“The assistance Schüco offered throughout the Eton project was great. It required oversized window vents, and we received support from the Schüco technical team to approve these untested sizes. The GFT 50 thermally broken door system was a brand-new product for us and Schüco provided helpful guidance during the fabrication process,” said Simon Pearce.
Construction of Eton Sports and Aquatics Centre was completed in 2023, creating a bright and airy high-spec sporting facility befitting of its prestigious location.
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