Planning permission was granted last night for a new Indoor Sports Centre at Birmingham University’s Edgbaston Campus. The centre, which will also open to the general public, will provide Britain’s next generation of athletes with world-class sports facility set to include Birmingham’s only 50-metre swimming pool.

On a brownfield site, located at at the edge of the campus, the building has a robust civic identity expressed through red brick facades, a strong form and welcoming configuration.

Accommodating a 50m swimming pool, a twelve badminton court sports hall with 700 bleacher seats, a supplementary hybrid sports hall, six squash courts, members and performance gyms and wellbeing centre, spa, two activity rooms, and dojo, the facility also has a strikingly patterned climbing wall directly above the reception area.

The centre is due for completion in 2014.