Loughborough University and Arup agree partnership to deliver elite sports venues

Arup Sport Venue Design have teamed up with Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences to design and develop the next generation of elite sports training facilities.

Arup Sport Venue Design have teamed up with Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences to design and develop the next generation of elite sports training facilities.

Arup Sport Venue Design have designed some of the world’s most advanced and iconic stadiums including the National Stadium in Beijing, known more commonly as the Birdsnest, and the Allianz Arena in Munich. Recently their team of Architects and Engineers have completed the Singapore Sports Hub project, a new sports precinct that is now the home for Singaporean Elite and Amateur athletes.

Known for its outstanding contribution to the world of sport for over 60 years, Loughborough University brings together exceptional athletes, facilities, coaching and research expertise with extensive partnerships with major sports organisations.  Loughborough recently won the prestigious The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 University of the Year for Sport title in honour of its unparalleled role in the triumph of the British Olympic and Paralympic teams at Rio 2016.

Arup SVD and Loughborough University have now come together to unite their expertise of elite sport and venues and are now able to offer elite sports clubs and sporting institutions a comprehensive design service that covers all aspects of preparing, designing, constructing and the operation of their elite training venue.

As no sports or sporting teams are managed in the same way or have the same values or aspirations, the Arup/Loughborough partnership will develop bespoke solutions on a case-by-case basis making each project unique. Their joint mission is to leave a legacy of environments where high performance is inevitable and sustainable.

Senior Sports Architect at Arup Sport, Andrew Edge says:

“As sports architects it is vital to understand the specific environment in which athletes or players train and develop right down to the smallest detail. Having the level of expertise and knowledge that Loughborough are able to offer a design project is invaluable. This information will influence and shape the design process in an iterative process ultimately resulting in a building and environment where elite sportsmen and women can focus solely on their training and reach their sporting potential.”

Dr David Fletcher, Senior Lecturer in Performance Psychology and Management at Loughborough added:

“The margins of victory in top level sport are so narrow that sport organisations and teams are constantly seeking to gain the competitive edge. To stay ahead of the performance curve, it is critical that specialists work more closely together to support athletes and coaches. This joint venture between Arup and Loughborough presents a compelling proposition for those serious about getting to and staying at the top of world sport.” 

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: PR 17/18

Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 228697. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, putting it among the best universities in the world, and was named the best in the country for its student experience in the 2016 THE Student Experience Survey. Loughborough was ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2017 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2017 and was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

In September 2015 the University opened an additional academic campus in London’s new innovation quarter. Loughborough University London, based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.

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