Grayling Thomas R. is involved in the development of a new Youth Sport and Community Centre at Aycliffe Park in Boreham Wood, replacing the existing sports facility. The project features a multi-purpose sports hall along with a range of support facilities designed to meet the diverse needs of the community.

The centre includes offices and meeting rooms on both the ground and upper floors, which support the day-to-day operations of the building. Located adjacent to a large open park, the sports hall is complemented by both indoor and outdoor changing facilities, as well as an external terrace that overlooks the park.

The building’s design takes full advantage of the natural gradient of the site, with the structure integrated into the slope to create a split-level approach. This design enhances the views across the fields from the terrace and ensures the building sits harmoniously within the landscape.

Natural daylight and cross-flow ventilation are key elements of the design, particularly in the sports hall and ancillary areas. These are achieved through the use of clerestory glazing at a high level, featuring automatically opening windows, and a series of mono-pitch roofs. This approach allows the roofs to be open and tall from within the building, creating a spacious and airy interior that promotes a healthy and comfortable environment for users.