Beacon of Light Sunderland Building Images, Architects, News, Plans
Beacon of Light Sunderland
River Wear Development, North East England – design by FaulknerBrowns Architects
6 Aug 2019
Beacon of Light in Sunderland
Location: Sunderland, England, UK
Beacon of Light Sunderland
Design: FaulknerBrowns Architects
The first of its kind in the UK, Beacon of Light is a unique centre for the Foundation of Light, consisting of engaging and interactive zones in education; health and fitness; sport and play; and the world of work.

photograph : Jill Tate
Located next to Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland AFC, Beacon of Light provides a vibrant and feel-good environment where people can meet socially; where they can learn and take part in courses to gain skills and qualifications; and where their fascination and love of football will start them on a journey to improve their quality of life.
photo : Jill Tate
Verticality
The fundamental design challenge was accommodating two inherently different spaces within one complex: a multi-use, sprung-floored, highly-conditioned sports hall, with specific acoustic and lighting requirements, and an ?outdoor? artificial grass pitch. The inventive, functional solution stacks a roof-top ?Football Barn?, created under a lightweight structure, on top of shared community and education facilities and a controlled, insulated ?box?, housing the sports hall.
Photos below by Richard Chivers:

The arrangement minimises the overall footprint?ma...