A remarkable multi-year community partnership culminates in Headingley today as St Chad’s Broomfield Cricket Club officially unveils its brand-new, student-designed clubhouse.
Opening its doors on Sunday afternoon, the timber-clad project represents a triumphant turnaround for a historic local sports asset that, just over a decade ago, was staring down an incredibly uncertain future.
Students from Leeds Beckett University’s School of Architecture and the Abstract Machine Studio stepped up to the crease, working hand-in-hand with local stakeholders across successive cohorts to design a bespoke replacement.
To maximise community ownership and keep construction costs to a minimum, the team promoted a strict self-build approach.
Specialised contractors were kept to a minimum, handling only the initial foundations, roofing, and glazing.
The main superstructure utilised an advanced, insulated timber cassette system manufactured off-site by Hull-based firm BlokBuild, marking the first time this technology has been deployed in a community self-build project.
In an impressive display of local teamwork, the entire superstructure was erected by university students and cricket club members in a whirlwind ten-day blitz.
Take an exclusive look around the new pavilion ahead of today’s opening with our gallery below.
1. St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club's new pavilion
Back in 2015, St Chads Broomfield Cricket Club was facing a daunting future with a dilapidated clubhouse that no longer met England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) standards. | National World Resell
2. St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club's new pavilion
Lacking both the necessary funds and design expertise to rebuild, the club reached out to Leeds Beckett University’s School of Architecture and the Abstract Machine Studio for a collaborative lifeline. | National World Resell
3. St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club's new pavilion
The result of that multi-year partnership is a beautiful, single-aspect, timber-clad pavilion designed entirely by successive cohorts of students.. | National World Resell
4. St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club's new pavilion
Built to respect its conservation area surroundings and the direct line of sight to the Grade II listed St Chads Church, the building features spectacular glazed bi-fold doors that retract directly onto the matchday action. | National World Resell
5. St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club's new pavilion
To maximise local pride and keep costs down, the project was tackled as a community self-build. | National World Resell
6. St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club's new pavilion
While specialist subcontractors were limited to the foundations, roofing, and glazing... | National World Resell