The opening of a health and leisure complex at Praa Sands Holiday Park, designed and built by Pinelog, completes the owner’s commitment to provide residents and visitors with additional leisure facilities.

As a further investment in its holiday locations, residential and holiday park specialist, the Haulfryn Group decided to extend and refurbish the clubhouse at Praa Sands to include a health and leisure complex.

The directors were clear that it should be highly sustainable, creatively designed and meet the needs of its holiday home owners. Having considered the expectations and objectives for the building, they realised that the least expensive option, and the only one that would meet building regulations and future development plans, was to build a complete new complex.

Won in competition with other architects, the proposal from leisure building specialist - Pinelog was selected as it was highly competitive and the most exciting and adaptable design submitted. Pinelog and Haulfryn also have a history of very successful collaboration on similar projects at other holiday parks.

With Pinelog’s technical and regulatory assistance, the planning process ran smoothly and consent was obtained on this sensitive site. Exploiting the fact that it sits on an undulating site with open views, the new leisure facility comprises 1000 sq.m. of space, distributed over a single floor. The scheme is planned around two open spaces, an entertainment room/restaurant facing south to take advantage of views over the sea, and a swimming pool with children’s pool and spa.

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The main structural component is the timber glulam frame manufactured from renewable sources and formed into exposed columns and roof beams. This highly insulated frame is topped by a 30 degree slate effect concrete tiled roof and clad externally with cedar panels and block and render. On the west face, a V-shaped gabled entrance projects forward from the building line. This is the main arrival point and has been designed to complement the main building, providing a welcoming environment for visitors and accommodating a possible future development – a conservatory.

The entrance leads to a lobby area with seating and an island reception desk which connects the functions of the building and allows staff to monitor the movement of users at all times. Leading directly off the reception area is the 150 sq.m entertainment room /restaurant. Its exposed timber frame and soaring double height ceiling combine to give a comfortable, airy feel. Double doors open directly onto a sun terrace where visitors can relax and take advantage of views over the sea.

This main function area is supported by a range of other rooms including a kitchen, bar, cellar, office, store rooms and toilet facilities. Along the internal wall of the entertainment room is a large window that overlooks the 14m x 6m constant depth swimming pool, a children's splash pool, spa pool, steam room and changing facilities. Also overlooking the pool is a gymnasium with the latest running, step and rowing machines.

Delivered on time and on budget, feedback from the client has been universally positive. With excellent thermal and acoustic qualities, natural light and ventilation, the extensive use of timber inside and out creates a warm ambience.

The structural form gives the building considerable height in the main spaces enabling it to have significant presence for a single storey building. The building is so well designed and built that when the air tightness test was carried out, an air permeability rate of 3.35m3 was achieved – three times less than that required under Building Regulation Part L2A/B.

(GK)