Bournemouth Lifeguards Corps
A Modern, Eco-Friendly Community Training Facility for the Next Generation of Lifeguards
The Bournemouth Lifeguards Corps has been providing voluntary life-saving services along Bournemouth’s coastline since 1965. Footprint Architects was commissioned by BCP Council to transform an underused seafront building into a modern training, education and operational hub that supports the charity’s vital work.
Designed with sustainability at its heart, the project combines the reuse of the existing area with low-carbon timber construction, high-performance insulation and renewable energy generation. The new facility provides dedicated space for lifeguard operations, training, water safety education and community activities, creating a resilient coastal building that will support future generations of lifesavers.
Sustainability
Designed around Passivhaus principles, the building adopts a fabric-first approach, combining a highly insulated building envelope, airtight construction, MVHR, strategic glazing and rooftop photovoltaic panels to minimise energy demand. Reuse of the existing structure and lightweight timber construction significantly reduce embodied carbon.
Context & Place
Material and colour inspiration was drawn from the beach huts situated alongside the beachfront, creating a natural timber frontage that seamlessly fits in with its surroundings. The building responds directly to its prominent seafront location, taking cues from the scale, character and materiality of Bournemouth’s coastal architecture to create a contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular.
People & Communities
180-degree panoramic views across Bournemouth’s coastline create a safe and engaging environment for lifeguard operations and training. The facility provides an inspiring setting for volunteers and wider community engagement, promoting physical and mental wellbeing through active participation in lifesaving activities.
Designing a Modern Community Volunteer Facility for Lifesaving Excellence
The new facility has been designed to support the operational, training and community needs of the Bournemouth Lifeguards Corps within a single purpose-built hub. Dedicated spaces for training, meetings, equipment storage and operational activities provide a modern and efficient base from which the charity can continue its critical lifesaving work. Design decisions prioritised wayfinding, flexible space and optimal long term operation.
A natural timber-clad frontage reflects the building’s coastal setting and creates a welcoming presence along the seafront. The design balances functionality with a strong architectural identity, providing a contemporary facility that supports both the day-to-day operations of the Corps and its long-term growth within the community.
Creating Sustainable Solutions for Bournemouth Lifeguards Training
Our team designed the facility with a focus on functionality and minimal environmental impact. The new structure reuses the existing slab and retaining low-level walls of the former derelict seafront structure, reducing the need for extensive groundworks and minimising disruption to the site. This approach reduces material consumption and preserves existing embodied carbon. A lightweight timber frame extension was selected to minimise structural loads on the existing foundations while lowering the building’s overall carbon footprint.
Combined with a fabric-first design approach, the completed Bournemouth Lifeguards hub delivers a highly efficient and resilient building suited to its exposed coastal setting.
Sustainable Design Features:
- Built using offsite-manufactured timber frame and recycled newspaper insulation, significantly reducing the building’s carbon footprint and impact during construction.
- High Insulation and Airtightness: The building is designed to near Passivhaus standards, incorporating high levels of insulation, ultra-high airtightness, and mechanical heat and ventilation recovery units.
- Utilising solar shading by designing overhangs on the southern façade to reduce solar gains in the summer, while allowing natural heating in the winter.
- PV panels on the roof aim for a net zero in operation approach, ensuring the building is energy-efficient and sustainable in the long term.
Designing a Purpose-Built Community Training Facility
The new training facility has been designed to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of the lifeguards through training, education, health and fitness activities. Providing a safe, active, and inclusive environment, the building enables members to develop lifesaving skills, build confidence and forge lasting friendships within the community. The facility also supports the Corps’ wider mission to promote health, fitness, and water safety education in collaboration with organisations such as the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) and Surf Lifesaving Great Britain (SLSGB) whose aim is to help make our beaches safer and more enjoyable places for everyone.
Beyond its operational role, the building serves as a valuable community asset, creating opportunities for engagement and participation.
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