Colchester Leisure World

The striking, angular Colchester Leisure World extension incorporates Senior Architectural Systems’ curtain wall systems, helping to achieve contemporary, sleek design aspirations for the centre’s brand new coffee shop and entrance lobby.

The specification of curtain wall systems for this dramatic, pointed building ensures the entrance and new cafe areas are provided with a high-quality finish, welcoming visitors into the centre and creating a relaxed, calm environment for staff and customers alike.

Senior’s aluminium SCW+ curtain walling systems and SD commercial doors were specified for the Essex-based project by designers NPS Group and were manufactured and installed by Senior approved fabricator Jarrolds.

The SCW+ systems are thermally enhanced, with large thermal barriers and high performance gaskets, which assist the leisure world’s heat retention and therefore its environmental performance.  These high quality systems can be fabricated into ladders for more efficient installation on-site.

Senior’s curtain walling systems were installed at full height on the two main elevations. Consultation between Senior and Jarrolds assisted with the finishing of the prominent corner of the main entrance.  The screens are capped and meet at a tip to create a ‘fin’ shaped extension, bringing an ocean-theme and feel to the leisure centre. The systems, which are fully weather tested, help to maximise daylight and give clear, open views onto the centre and its surroundings including its distinguishing water slide feature.

Senior’s sliding SD commercial door systems were also specified for the leisure world, helping to improve access to the centre for visitors and providing a sleek, modern finish for the spacious entrance lobby.

These robust, aluminium commercial SD door systems are ideal for use in high traffic environments so were the appropriate choice for the centre, which has hundreds of visitors every day, who use its swim, gym and fitness facilities.

The extension was part of a £1.1 million four-phase project to improve the centre, led by main contractor Cadman Construction. The modern, open environment created in the entrance lobby and coffee shop, largely thanks to Senior’s systems, is a very fitting introduction to the improved centre.

Steve Jarrold, of Jarrolds, said: “Due to the unusual shape of the extension, final site measurements could not be completed till partway through the construction. This led to a tight schedule in which to complete the works, as per the programme. Thanks to Senior Architectural Systems’ excellent technical support, customer service and speedy delivery times we were able to meet these deadlines and deliver a new entrance to the building on time and within budget.”