Morpeth Leisure Centre
Exterior Living Wall

Morpeth Leisure Centre

2022 Northumberland, United Kingdom

Project Background

Open to the public in early 2023, Morpeth Leisure Centre boasts a six-lane swimming pool, spa facilities a new gym and more.  GT3 Architects, who designed the scheme, describe this project as “A riverfront scheme that brings together the urban and suburban, woodland and water”.  We were taken on by Willmott Dixon Construction – the main contractor on the project – to design and integrate the ten living walls on the façade.

Featured Solutions:

  • Viritopia Living Wall System (Exterior)

Size:     160m²

Project Drivers

Biophilia

Social Impact

Aesthetics

large brick and timber building facade

Ten living walls

The ten tall living walls are placed intermittently along the length of the centre, going from wide to narrow as they reach the end of the building.

Included mostly for their unique aesthetic value, they also tie in with the purpose of the centre: to support better health and well-being.

Looking up a planted facade

Using contrasting materials

With nature and natural elements proven to support our mental health, it makes sense to create with this evidence in mind, forming a cohesive design.

We love how GT3 have used three main different materials on the façade: the brick and the timber fins, softened by the lush mixture of plants.