Extensive refurbishment and rooftop extension of the Millennium Building at The All England Lawn Tennis Club's site in Wimbledon
PROJECT AIM
The Millennium Building plays a critical role during The Championships at Wimbledon, as the home of the players, media and members. Now twenty years old, the building is coming to the end of its design life, and the requirements of the players and media have changed significantly.
The brief requires the use of this building as a key contributor to the AELTC’s sustainability commitments to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.
We gained planning permission in 2021.
OUR CONCEPT
The potential of the Millennium Building to be modernised and connected to other critical parts of the site is unlocked via the introduction of a new light-filled atrium connecting to a new entrance tunnel under the adjacent Somerset Road.
A new upper level is introduced, constructed of a prefabricated, sustainable engineered timber diagrid structure. This rooftop level contains new social and dining spaces alongside terraces and a sunken rooftop garden. Other areas are refurbished and extended to bring new life and improved functionality to spaces for the players, members and media.
THE DESIGN
The proposed changes respond to the scale and character of the existing Millennium Building and the surrounding context. Due to the complex nature of the building, the project is treated as a programme of works, breaking the building into manageable projects, with the tunnel link open for the 2023 Championships.
The changes include:
- Improved external façade to enhance the building’s character and identity
- More sustainable and functional energy management systems
- The provision of a new upper level to accommodate enhanced competitor facilities including restaurants and lounges
- Integration into the Somerset Road building via the tunnel entrance portal
- Changes to the internal layout – to both accommodate the entrance portal and to significantly improve the layout and efficiency of the building
- Bridge connections to the new Media Pavilion
- Improved media working spaces to accommodate the ongoing changing media landscape
- A competitors’ performance hub including evolved performance-related facilities to meet industry standards in relation to sports science
Location: The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon
Client: The All England Lawn Tennis Club
Role: Concept Architect
TEAM
Structural/Civil Engineer: AKT II
Landscape Architect: Illman Young
Mechanical Engineer: Max Fordham
Facade Engineer: AKT II
BREAAM: Max Fordham
Cost: Turner & Townsend
Phase 1 Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
