Project: Loughborough University "Active Campus" & Elite Athlete Centre (Completed)

Location: Loughborough, UK

This project was undertaken in collaboration with David Morley Architects, as part of our extended team.

The Challenge: Loughborough University required a £43 million, 20,390 m² high-density campus expansion. The brief demanded the delivery of a 617-bed student village co-located with a world-class Elite Athlete Centre. This required extreme technical precision to accommodate specialized sports science infrastructure—including altitude-simulated living quarters—while successfully navigating complex institutional and government stakeholder requirements (Sport England, UK Sport).

The THINK NATURE Solution: Operating as Architecture and Lead Consultant (in collaboration with David Morley Architects), we delivered a comprehensive "Active Landscape" masterplan. The design integrates high-density student accommodation (409 en-suites, 132 cluster flats) with hyper-specialized athletic facilities. The Elite Athlete Centre features 42 twin rooms, integrating 20 state-of-the-art climate and altitude-controlled environments. The entire 20,000+ sqm footprint is woven into biophilic, biodiversity-enhancing landscaping (Claudia Parsons Hall) to meet stringent sustainability targets.

The Commercial ROI: Delivered via a Design and Build procurement method, the £43m project successfully secured institutional funding and massively expanded Loughborough’s capacity to attract top-tier global athletic talent. By balancing high-volume student housing with hyper-specialized sports infrastructure, the asset maximizes university revenue generation while cementing the institution's status as a premier global sports science destination.

Every project is authentic and singular. To discuss the individual design requirements and biophilic vision for your property, contact our Berkeley Square studio to schedule a private consultation

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