Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects won the Finsbury Leisure Centre design competition.

Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects was selected from a five strong shortlist that also included (in alphabetical order of design team lead):

• Grimshaw Architects LLP;
• Hawkins\Brown Architects LLP;
• Henley Halebrown Rorrison Architects; and
• Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners LLP.

The council’s Judging Panel thought that Pollard Thomas Edwards had the most creative and forward thinking ideas for the new civic building. They were also impressed by the dedication, time, and resources shown by each of the design teams. This gave the Panel an opportunity to compare a range of high quality design ideas for the site.

“Congratulations to Pollard Thomas Edwards on their competition victory. We look forward to working with them and the local community to create new high-quality affordable homes and improved community facilities for Finsbury residents including a new leisure centre, GP practice, and nursery. Like the rest of London, Islington faces a housing crisis, with a huge shortage of affordable housing. Projects such as this are another opportunity to build new council homes and help meet the housing needs of local residents.”

Cllr Diarmaid Ward, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development