Located on Fulwood retail park outside Preston, Swim Central combines a children's learn-to-swim school with a wider community offer - pool, studio space and refreshment facilities under one roof. The brief was to create somewhere genuinely high quality and considered, rather than the utilitarian environment the sector usually settles for.

We provided the full design package, from planning and local authority drawings through to the complete interior fit-out - working closely with the architect, structural engineers, swimming-pool specialists and children's swim-teaching experts so the design supported the experience as well as the operation.

The interior is playful and welcoming without tipping into the childish. A confident palette, illustrative wall graphics, timber detailing and generous spectator and breakout areas give the space personality while keeping parents comfortable and the environment easy to run. We worked alongside a Manchester branding agency throughout to keep brand and interior fully aligned.