The UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre makes a splash
Exeter City Council’s bold and trailblazing St Sidwell’s Point project - aiming to become the first Passivhaus leisure centre and public pool in the UK - will soon be opening its doors.
Blazing a trail
Designed by PHT members Gale & Snowden Architects and Space and Place Architects, and built by PHT Patron Kier, the St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre will be opening to the public on 29 April 2022. The £42 million project is aiming to be the first Passivhaus Leisure Centre and public pool in the UK. It is also only one of a handful of such projects in the world. There are currently two Passivhaus swimming pool buildings in Germany, but the St Sidwell’s Point project has the additional complexity of including a 150-station gym, studios, spin studio, creche, and health suite with spa facilities.
It is fantastic news that St Sidwell’s Point will be opening its doors to the public in April. We have waited a long time for this, but I can assure everyone that when they see the quality of this facility they will know it was well worth the wait. This is a major asset for Exeter that will serve the city and its citizens for many decades to come.
Councillor Duncan Wood, Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, Exeter City Council
The flagship project for PHT Patron Exeter City Council will have an anticipated 500,000 visitors per year and is expected to achieve 50-70% expected savings on annual energy costs, as a result of its fabric first Passivhaus design. In addition, it has been designed to be climate resilient to 2080, to achieve 50% water savings compared to conventional leisure centres and also incorporates building biology healthy design principles.
With differing thermal zones operating at a range of different temperatures, for example gym suites at 18oC and pool zones at 30oC, coupled with high humid zones competing with dry zones, St Sidwell’s Point is one of the most complex Passivhaus schemes in the UK to date.
The centre includes:
-
4 pools (25m competition pool with eight lanes, 20m learner pool, confidence splash pool for toddlers, and a hydropool)
-
150-station gym
-
2 fitness studios
-
Spin studios
-
Health suite with Spa facilities with hydropool
-
Café
-
Creche
-
Administration offices
Gale & Snowden are proud to have played a pivotal role in the creation of this building. St Sidwell’s Point breaks new ground for the Passivhaus standard and shows that Passivhaus makes both financial and environmental sense especially for complex building types that traditionally consume high quantities of energy. There is now no excuse not to go Passivhaus even for complex buildings such as St Sidwell’s Point – Passivhaus just got a bit sexier.
David Gale, Architect Director, Gale & Snowden Architects
Due to the prominent city location, PHT Patron Exeter City Council desired the new building to act as a landmark destination. The design does not disappoint - cascading curved forms step back at each level to maximise natural daylight that penetrates into the deep floor plan of the building. The result is an uplifting and healthy interior in the pool halls with striking geometric external shapes that still meets the Passivhaus low energy criteria.
![]() |
![]() |
Leisure centres & Passivhaus
Typically, conventional leisure centres are high energy consumers and costly to run. Of all building types, leisure centres, operating at high temperatures and high humidity all year round, make the most sense to be optimised to the Passivhaus standard.
Pool halls operating at high temperatures need heating all year round. Building to the Passivhaus standard with high insulation levels, triple glazing, high levels of airtightness, and thermal bridge free design significantly reduces this load.
The Passivhaus Institute has developed specific guidelines for municipal swimming pool design.
Design approach
Thermal zoning
The first stage to realising Passivhaus energy optimisation for St Sidwell’s Point for Passivhaus consultants Gale & Snowden, was to set out the building and its thermal zones in context with the site. This set out the ‘free’ energy savings that can be made. Zones requiring cooling are placed to the north, hot zones which can harvest solar gain to the south, with buffer zones in between, so that there is a cascade affect between the temperature zones.
The next stage was to ensure that the separate temperature zones are sufficiently thermally separated between each other – buildings within a building. For example, placing a cooling zone at 16oC right next to a pool zone at 30oC should be avoided, as this would increase energy transfer and also capital costs. The internal thermal barrier would have to be as good as the external fabric to deal with the issue or other elements would have to work harder to make up for the shortfall. By optimising in this manner, the thermal barrier between temperature zones is made simpler.
Glazing ratios
Once the optimum layout and orientation is achieved, the next step is to arrive at the optimum glazing ratios. This involved detailed dynamic thermal modelling by Gale & Snowden to ensure the optimum for energy savings, to limit overheating and to achieve optimum daylight levels. Thermal modelling was carried out into 2080 future climate scenarios.
Giles Boon, Technologist and Passivhaus Designer, Gale & Snowden Architects commented: "These first steps are key to Passivhaus optimisation, once realised all other energy savings measures follow. Without it you are simply driving up capital costs as other elements will have to work harder to meet the Passivhaus criteria."
Energy savings
Complex leisure facilities incorporate many and often competing energy systems and processes. In all aspects of the design whether it be fabric, ventilation, zoning, filtration, heat recycling, thermal zoning, and controls energy savings were realised. In some instances, these could be implemented without additional cost.
- Reduced evaporation: With good building fabric performance, the risk of internal condensation in the pool halls was reduced, which allows the pool hall to operate at a slightly higher relative humidity (RH) (up to 64%) than the average pool building (normally between 50-60% RH). Operating at a higher relative humidity reduces pool water evaporation rates. Pool water evaporation uses significant quantities of energy due to the latent heat of evaporation which takes an enormous amount of energy out of the pool water. Not only does it cool the water down, replacement water is required which needs heating before entering the pool. For a Passivhaus scheme, pool water heating can be double the space heating load in a pool hall, and for non-Passivahus schemes it is easily 3 to 4 times higher. The hydro and confidence pools are drained overnight which reduces evaporation and energy further.
- Ventilation savings: The higher relative humidity brought other significant energy savings. With reduced evaporation, ventilation air change rates can also be reduced as less dry air is required to deal with the latent load. Air change rates were reduced down to around 1.5 air changes per hour, typical pool halls are anything up to 4 to 6 air changes per hour.
- Filtration energy use: Pool water filtration systems are another significant energy draw for a swimming pool. There is no measure in the energy regulations to capture their impact and so little incentive to reduce their energy use. Filtration systems account for around 1/3 of total electrical energy in a Passivhaus scheme. The PHI set a challenging energy target of 40 Wh/m3 This was particularly challenging for the filtration specialists and required carefully planning and co-ordination of the pipework systems in order reduce pressure drops to meet the target. In addition, the pipework had to sit within the thermal envelope adjacent the pool tanks in order to limit heat loss. In typical schemes they are buried in the ground and uninsulated.
- Microfiltration: The microfiltration system for the pool contributed to further energy savings. Compared to traditional sand filtration systems, it requires less backwashing and up to 50% water can be saved. This has a big impact on the heating load of the pool water. The microfiltration design also supported the building biology aspirations of the project. With higher efficiency filtration coupled with UV sterilisation, chlorine levels are minimised to those better than drinking water.
- Human-powered energy: Early stage dynamic modelling identified that there was a significant heat gain energy load in the gym and spin studios that needed to be dealt with. Rather than cool this space down in the traditional manner with cooling systems that throw the heat away, it was decided to divert this useful energy into heating the pool water and other parts of the building. This led to a change in strategy from CHP (which was originally proposed) to the innovative use of heat pump technology. 150 gym users working out on a daily basis, plus the spin studios will produce high levels of heat energy. The use of a hybrid air source heat pump which can deliver heat and cooling simultaneously was adopted. All of the’ waste heat’ from cooling these spaces will be used for a significant proportion of the water and space heating, resulting in a heat pump TER (target efficiency ratio) of 7! This is the sum of cooling plus heating outputs to total power input.
- Reusing heat from water: A water source heat pump is used to recycle the waste heat from the back washwater to top up the water heating. Once the heat is taken out of it the backwash water is also being recycled to flush the building's WCs, contributing to the estimated 50% water savings.
Energy usage targets
Total energy targets Typical leisure centre: 1,579 kWh/m2.yr Best practice usage: 737 kWh/m2.yr St Sidwell’s target: 375 kWh/m2.yr The team await final figures from the Passivhaus Institute but expect to better this target. Airtightness targets Requirement: q50 ≤ 0.4 m3 /h per m2 envelope area Recommended target: q50 ≤ 0.2 m2 /h per m2 envelope area |
![]() |
Passivhaus energy breakdown targets
Heating demand for pool halls |
40 kWh/m2.yr |
Heating demand for all other areas |
20 kWh/m2.yr |
Total heating demand |
60 kWh/m2.yr |
Pool water heating |
73 kWh/m2.yr |
Domestic hot water demand (changing rooms) |
0.7 kWh / person Equivalent to 56 kWh / m2TFA .yr |
Cooling demand for gym space areas |
22 kWh/m2.yr |
Total electricity demand (All ventilation, lighting, appliances, pool water treatment and circulation) |
120 kWh/m2.yr |
Pool circulation / water treatment electricity demand) |
40 Wh/m3 |
Ventilation |
20 kWh/m2.yr |
Lighting |
20 kWh/m2.yr |
Other appliances |
20 kWh/m2.yr |
Construction
The project has been built using a blend of structures including reinforced concrete, blockwork, CLT and lightweight steel frame with sheathing boards. The building foundations include a 250mm-thick high-density expanded polystyrene insulation which extends around pile caps and 1000mm down the side of foundation piles to prevent thermal bridging.
Jason Fitzsimmons, Passivhaus Designer & Mechanical Engineer, Gale & Snowden Architects commented: "The project involved a highly collaborative and co-ordinated effort behind all parties involved. From early design stage with various design consultants to engagement with the main contractor and sub-contractor through to completion on site. The project is a reflection of all these disciplines coming together and working with the client team with a single goal of delivering the UK’s first Passivhaus Certified Leisure Centre.This in itself is the remarkable achievement of St Sidwell's Point."
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Airtightness
The airtightness layer is formed as a composite between the sheathing board and fully adhered membrane. These are located on the outside of the structure to minimise disruption to internal work and reduce the risk of the airtightness layer being punctured from the internal works. This meant exceptional site control was needed to monitor perforations in the airtightness layer before it was covered up by follow on works.
Junctions around curtain walls were particularly challenging and precise installation of insulation around pile caps also required numerous checks and attention to detail. Achieving high levels of airtightness given the complex geometry of the building was the biggest challenge of the job.
For example, to achieve an 'airtight' installation of a double door, the door should meet a specified air permeability class to EN12270 and the connection between the door and each of the adjacent elements must be sealed. If the door is glazed into a curtain wall, then similar attention to detail is needed at the transition between the curtain wall mullion and the threshold of the door. At St Sidwell's Point, much of this was subjected to product changes, critique, review, consultation and testing.
The general arrangement of thermal zones coupled with programmatic constraints meant that the scheme did not lend itself to interim whole building air pressure tests. To mitigate this risk, mock-up models of the airtight details were built on-site, temporary airtight zones were created, and thermal imaging cameras and smoke machines were used to identify leaks as an interim approach. The care and attention paid off when the final air test came in at 0.3m3.h/m2@ 50 Pa which for SSP equates to an airtightness of 0.1 air changes per hour at 50Pa - well within the requirements for Passivhaus Certification.
We were amazed at the buy-in we got from the supply chain and how proud those people are of the work they do. If you take them on the journey and take the trouble to explain what you are doing – and why you are doing it and the benefit and what that means to them – most of the people on this site were coming up with ideas themselves and proud of what they were doing. It’s almost unheard of in my experience.
Joe O’Connell, Senior Project Manager, Keir
Training
The training of staff and the supply chain was integral to the success of the technically complex and pioneering project.
- Strong efforts were made to engage and train up the supply chain, which was seen as preferential to employing an army of managers to supervise and check the work of the supply chain team.
- Regular workshops were held with the supply chain to ensure they understood what was required and to get their feedback.
- Throughout the construction process, more than 2,000 workers went through the training process, and received a ‘Passivhaus passport’.
- Mock-ups of construction details were built in advance to test them and give the building team the confidence that these would work on site. The mock-ups were also used as a training tool for the supply chain.
Funding & payback
The Leisure Centre had to pay for itself and the running costs and build costs for the building were not linked to council tax rates. The project has been built within budget. The predicted annual energy savings of the building will offset the extra building costs. The building has been designed to last 80 years and, with 70% less energy use than a conventional centre, to have a payback period of just 8-9 years.
The premium is more than covered by the long-term picture; it more than pays for itself over the life of the building,
Duncan Wood, Councillor for leisure and physical activities, Exeter City Council
Key teamClient: Exeter City Council Lead Architect: Space and Place Architects Passivhaus Designer, Building Envelope Architect, Building Biology Consultant: Gale & Snowden Architects Cost consultant and employer’s agent: Randall Simmonds Main Contractor: Kier Structural & MEP engineer: Arup Pool Filtration Specialist : FT Leisure MEP Sub Contractor: T Clarke Air-testing consultant: Paul Jennings t/a Aldas & WARM Certifier: Passivhaus Institute (PHI) |
![]() |
St Sidwell's Point is already inspiring other councils to adopt similar high performance schemes. Spelthorne Borough Council's plans for a Passivhaus Leisure Centre are currently underway and Perth & Kinross Council have just announced plans for a £90 million Passivhaus swimming pool and ice rink project.
Further information
Previous PHT story: UK's 1st Passivhaus pool progresses – 1 October 2020
Previous PHT story: St Sidwell's Point targets world first – 15 February 2019
Passivhaus Sports & Leisure case studies
PHI Guidance: Swimming with a clear conscience
BBC: UK's first energy efficient leisure centre to open in Exeter - 1 February 2022
BUILDING magazine: Take a dive into the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre - 16 February 2022
Gale & Snowden Architects: St Sidwell’s Point
Gale & Snowden Architects: Reflections on the UK's First Passivhaus Leisure Centre
Kier: Passivhaus Passports at St Sidwell’s Point
25th March 2022
![]() |
![]() |