Client: Westminster City Council
Services: Full MEP Design | Sustainability Consultancy
Overview
QODA is providing MEP and sustainability support for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed Seymour Leisure Centre in Westminster. Appointed by Wadys, we are supporting Stage 4 design through to construction, working closely with the wider team to transform this historic building into a modern, low-energy wellbeing hub.
Project vision
The scheme aims to preserve the architectural character of this heritage asset while introducing state-of-the-art facilities and low-carbon systems to meet modern performance standards. The design prioritises energy efficiency, heritage sensitivity, and user wellbeing.
Key features
Low-Carbon Energy Systems
QODA has developed a building services strategy that significantly reduces operational carbon while responding to the unique demands of a leisure facility:
- Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) provide low-carbon domestic hot water, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting Westminster City Council’s wider decarbonisation objectives.
- Energy recovery from fitness suite cooling captures waste heat and reuses it to support swimming pool water heating—an innovative solution that improves overall system efficiency and reduces energy demand.
- Roof-mounted solar PV contributes to on-site renewable energy generation, carefully integrated to minimise visual impact on the listed structure.
Together, these measures create a highly efficient, electrically led energy strategy suited to long-term, low-carbon operation.
Heritage-Sensitive Integration
Working within a Grade II-listed building introduced significant spatial, structural, and visual constraints. QODA worked closely with Make Architects, conservation officers, and the wider engineering team to ensure that modern services were integrated discreetly and respectfully:
- MEP routes and plant locations were carefully coordinated to avoid harm to historic fabric.
- Building services interventions were designed to be reversible where possible, supporting long-term conservation principles.
- Lighting upgrades improve energy efficiency and visual comfort while maintaining the character of key heritage spaces.
This collaborative approach allowed modern performance standards to be achieved without compromising the building’s historic significance.
Fabric, Comfort & Performance
While fabric upgrades were necessarily limited by heritage constraints, targeted improvements were introduced to enhance thermal performance and operational efficiency. These were complemented by efficient ventilation and environmental control strategies tailored to high-humidity and high-occupancy leisure environments, ensuring robust performance, occupant comfort, and resilience in use.
Digital Design & Coordination
The project has been delivered in full compliance with BIM, enabling effective coordination across disciplines and improving buildability during construction. The digital approach has supported:
- Early identification and resolution of spatial clashes
- Improved coordination of complex services within constrained zones
- Reduced site waste and rework through accurate, coordinated information
QODA’s role
QODA’s scope includes:
- Full Stage 4 detailed MEP design for mechanical, electrical, and public health systems
- Development of the sustainability and low-carbon energy strategy
- Close coordination with Make Architects, Pell Frischmann, Wadys, and conservation stakeholders
- Ongoing technical support through construction to ensure design intent is realised on site
Our role has been pivotal in translating sustainability ambitions into practical engineering solutions that work within the realities of a listed leisure building.
Impact
Seymour Leisure Centre demonstrates how thoughtful MEP design and sustainability leadership can unlock the potential of heritage assets. Once complete, the building will offer modern, high-quality wellbeing facilities with reduced operational carbon, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced user comfort, while retaining the architectural character that makes it a valued part of Westminster’s built heritage.
The project exemplifies QODA’s expertise in delivering low-carbon, technically robust solutions in complex, constrained environments, particularly where heritage, sustainability, and operational performance must work hand in hand.
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