Ravelin Sports Centre was the only facility in the United Kingdom to win the prestigious 2023 IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prize
The University of Portsmouth's Ravelin Sports Centre has won best indoor facility at the 2023 IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prize for its sustainable and innovative design.
Presented jointly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS), the awards recognise sporting and leisure facilities globally that set new standards in design.
The awards ceremony took place this week in Cologne, Germany. Out of 22 countries, the Ravelin Sports Centre was the only facility in the United Kingdom to win this prestigious award, and one of only three in the Indoor Facilities category.
Paul Tilley, Director of Sport and Recreation at the University of Portsmouth, said: “It is brilliant to see our fantastic Ravelin Sports Centre receive this international award, recognising our vision and commitment to sustainability, user experience and high-quality design.
“I'm delighted that many years of hard work from multiple teams across the University is being recognised as internationally excellent. The impact Ravelin has on our community is huge and shows the power and importance that sport and physical activity has on our daily lives.”
Members of the Sport and Recreation team at the awards ceremony
It is brilliant to see our fantastic Ravelin Sports Centre receive this international award, recognising our vision and commitment to sustainability, user experience and high-quality design.
I'm delighted that many years of hard work from multiple teams across the University is being recognised as internationally excellent. The impact Ravelin has on our community is huge and shows the power and importance that sport and physical activity has on our daily lives.
The award-winning centre, which opened last year, has already won the Public Sector Project: Design Stage Award at the BREEAM Awards 2020, and received a top rating of ‘Outstanding’ from BREEAM UK, the world’s leading sustainability assessment for building. It has also been graded A, the most efficient rating for energy use in buildings, in a recent Display Energy Certificate (DEC) assessment.
One of the UK’s most sustainable sports facilities, Ravelin’s features include creating renewable energy from roof solar panels and internal heat recovery systems, grey water recycling methods by reusing wastewater from showers, hand basins and pools for flushing toilets,waste water drainage by creating an urban orchard, and having a biodiverse grassed roof.
The University is committed to sustainability and aims to become climate positive by 2030, with this outstanding sports centre setting the standard for all new future developments.