Acton Town Hall Community Hub 

Revitalising History: Transforming Acton Town Hall into a Modern, Multifunctional Community Hub.

The Acton Town Hall project was a significant redevelopment and refurbishment of both Grade II listed and locally listed buildings, including the Acton Swimming Baths, Kings Rooms, and Acton Town Hall. This newly revitalised community hub now boasts an 8-lane, 25-metre main swimming pool, a learner pool, a 100-station fitness suite, studio spaces, and civic facilities. We also included a new public library, multifunctional meeting rooms, and Council services for children, adults, and families.

Initially, S&P led a feasibility study to streamline the usage of various Council buildings. We explored opportunities for new facilities, residential developments, and developer sales. Consequently, a private developer delivered a residential scheme, allowing the Council to focus on creating this vibrant community hub. The project incorporated both the refurbishment of the listed library and new construction elements, providing an accessible, attractive, and interconnected facility for community members and Council staff.

One key challenge involved integrating multiple functions within a single facility while preserving the historic character of the site. Ongoing collaboration with English Heritage and the local conservation team ensured a heritage-led yet modern solution. The Grade II listed building now houses the public library and Council services, while new leisure and multipurpose spaces stand behind the restored Kings Rooms façade.

Sustainability was a priority, with the project powered by a gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) unit and cooled using air source heat pumps. We implemented a building management system (BEMS) to monitor and optimize energy and water usage. From the outset, we held community consultations to ensure the facility would meet the diverse needs of its future users.

We strategically designed multi-functional spaces to cater to various activities, including leisure, fitness, swimming, and community services. The versatile multi-use rooms on Level 2 feature moveable walls and acoustic treatments, allowing flexible configurations for different events. Accessibility was enhanced with ceiling-tracked hoists, while features like mirrors and ballet bars accommodated various programmes. The learner pool’s moveable floor and privacy blinds further supported diverse user needs. 

The Grade II listed library was refurbished with a future-proofing approach, preserving original timber wall panels and flooring. This careful restoration ensures the library can maintain its heritage value while adapting to potential future changes, without needing further modifications.

Results

The Acton Town Hall project successfully transformed historic buildings into a vibrant, multifunctional community hub. The design prioritised accessibility, sustainability, and heritage preservation by blending refurbished and newly constructed elements. Ongoing community consultations ensured that the facility meets the diverse needs of its users. 

April 2017