OVERVIEW
City of London Academy, one of only ten academies in the country awarded Basketball Academy status, required a dedicated basketball hall to support their curriculum and host competitions. Barker collaborated with Ball Hall to design and deliver a competition-sized basketball hall within the academy’s strict site constraints.
THE BRIEF
The academy needed a modern basketball hall that could accommodate competition-sized courts and associated facilities. Barker was selected for the project due to our proven expertise and extensive experience in the design and delivery of school sports facilities. The goal was to create a space that would enhance the academy’s basketball program and provide a venue for hosting competitions.
THE CHALLENGE
The primary challenge was finding a suitable location for the new hall. The existing tennis courts were identified as the only viable option, but this location presented difficulties in maintaining emergency access and minimising disruption to the school during the construction phase. Additionally, the design had to integrate seamlessly with the existing sports hall and provide adequate facilities, including practice courts, changing rooms, spectator seating, unisex WCs, and storage.
THE OUTCOME
Working closely with Ball Hall, Barker developed a layout that accommodated a competition-sized basketball hall with two practice courts and associated facilities. The design included a lightweight glazed link to merge the new hall with the existing sports facilities, ensuring seamless integration. Despite the site constraints, the project successfully provided a modern, functional basketball hall that meets the academy’s needs and supports its prestigious Basketball Academy status.
Our experience and vision have shaped hundreds of projects across sectors, from energy and funding to architecture and design, helping bring ideas to life.
