Before GT3 had a name, there was Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart.
Completed in 2014, this project marks the beginning of our story. Delivered before GT3 Architects formally existed, it was the first scheme brought to life through collaboration between staff from S&P Architects and +3 Architecture, including founders Mark Gowdridge and Simon Dunstan. Looking back, it represents the point at which a shared mindset began to take shape. One rooted in collaboration, curiosity and a belief that architecture should work harder for people and place.
Simon Dunstan, Co-Founder and Project Director on the scheme, reflects: “Looking back at Redcar, you can see the early foundations of how we still work as a practice today. Although GT3 had not formally come into being, there was already a strong sense of shared purpose between the teams.
It felt collaborative, open and with a clear focus on achieving the best outcome for the town and the local community.
That collective mindset, where ideas are tested and strengthened through teamwork and engagement, continues to shape the way we approach projects today.”
Building on our town centre masterplan for Redcar, we were re-commissioned to design and deliver a flagship leisure and community development that would help reshape the urban core and act as a catalyst for long-term regeneration. Won through competition, it went on to become the largest regeneration project in Redcar’s recent history.
What stands out now is the scale of ambition. Rather than treating leisure, civic and commercial uses as separate elements, the scheme brought them together into one integrated development. A new leisure centre, civic functions, business space, parking and public realm were arranged around a central civic square, reconnecting a previously fragmented part of the town and creating a genuine focal point for everyday life.
Engagement was central to the process. More than 63 meetings were held with local sporting groups, community organisations, schools, colleges, business owners and elected members. Seen through today’s lens, this level of involvement feels ahead of its time. It helped shape a facility mix rooted in real need, built trust locally and delivered measurable value, including a £2 million reduction in construction cost through the shared use of spaces but without compromising quality or ambition.
On the importance of engagement, Simon adds: “The depth of engagement on this project was significant. We spent a great deal of time speaking with local sporting groups, community representatives, schools and elected members, and those conversations directly influenced the brief and the design.
It was not consultation for the sake of process. It was about understanding what Redcar genuinely needed.
That level of deep listening gave agency to the local community and provided the project with clarity and long-term resilience, while reinforcing the importance of placing people at the centre of decision making.”
The leisure offer was designed to support a wide range of users, then and now. Facilities include an eight-lane gala pool, teaching pool, splash pool and a static-surf flow rider, alongside flexible spaces that accommodate everything from structured sport to informal community use.
Alongside this, the Community Heart brought key council services together within a dedicated civic hub, reinforcing the building’s role as a place for wellbeing, access and public life.
Sustainability and longevity were embedded from the outset. Fifty percent of the building is naturally ventilated, and the scheme achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. Basement parking allowed the ground floor to prioritise public realm, creating a safer, more welcoming town centre environment that continues to serve the wider community.
Twelve years on, the building remains a key part of Redcar’s civic and community life. It continues to host activity, connection and everyday moments, proving the value of designing with people, adaptability and longevity in mind.
Cllr Carrie Richardson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said:
“More than a decade on, the Civic Centre remains a vital part of Redcar and Cleveland’s civic, community and cultural life. As an outstanding facility for fitness and wellbeing, it brings people together daily to support healthier lifestyles and social connection.
It is home to businesses. It is the place where people get married. It is where both children and adults learn how to swim. It is also home to our Council Chamber, where key decisions shaping the future of the borough are made.
Over the years, it has hosted local and general elections, welcomed members of our community recognised by the Mayor, and provided essential public services to residents.
The building has demonstrated real longevity and adaptability, contributing significantly to our community. It stands as a lasting investment in the future of Redcar and Cleveland.”
As the first project in our ten-year throwback series, Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart marks where it all began. Looking back now, it feels less like a starting point and more like a statement of intent. An early expression of the ideas, values and relationships that continue to shape GT3 and our approach to People Architecture today!