POPLAR BATHS REGENERATION FOREWARD

building remains an intrinsic part of the Tower Hamlets landscape. But things have changed as well as a 25m swimming pool and learner pool, there is a large sports hall, a studio and a fully-equipped, state-of-the- art gym.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, you’ll find a wide and varied range of sports and activities designed to enhance your health, wellbeing and quality of life. Badminton, gymnastics, netball and swimming are just some of the choices on offer, plus there’s a great selection of holiday activity programmes. The new Poplar Baths offers something for everyone.

Welcome. I know that many of you will have I am thrilled that Poplar Baths memories of using the baths and are has been brought back to life pleased to see it back in use for present and future generations. Tower Hamlets - after an absence of nearly 30 Council is proud of this borough’s rich years - to offer what can only heritage and monuments from its past. We be described as a truly first-class, are pleased to be able to bring one of our leisure facility for residents and most important and historically-significant visitors of all ages. leisure facilities back to life. This historic and treasured grade II listed Enjoy. building was originally opened in 1934 and, John Biggs, as you’d expect, has undergone a number Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets of transformations over the years.

The baths distinctive art deco exterior design and towering statue of local philanthropist Richard Green outside the

2 3 HISTORY OF POPLAR HISTORY OF BATH HOUSES IN

The origins of public bathing facilities lie in the Victorian era, notably in bodies such as the Association for Promoting Cleanliness among the Poor, who provided facilities in the Glasshouse Yard Baths in the City, Goulston Square in Whitechapel and George Street, St Pancras, between 1844-6. The Public Baths and Wash Houses Act of 1846-7 was passed as a result of public and religious pressure from figures like the Bishop of London. The Act gave all borough authorities the right to build public baths and was adopted by three metropolitan boroughs in London.

By 1852, almost 200,000 people were From its origins as a small hamlet of the Isle of Dogs, the construction regularly using nine newly built baths in of shipyards and trading docks of the East India Company led to a London, including Poplar Baths on East substantial increase in Poplar’s population in the early 19th century. India Dock Road. The area retained a largely working class population, dependant on the docks and shipyards for its livelihood. Poplar came to national prominence in the thousands to Westminster, after which 30 early twentieth century during the Poplar of the councillors were imprisoned. Public Rates Rebellion. Led by Labour Mayor pressure led to the councillors’ release , the council withheld tax and the London Authorities Financial revenue from the , Provision Act of 1921 was rushed through, Metropolitan Police, Asylums and Water effectively equalising the tax burdens of Boards, instead directing it into local social rich and poor boroughs. and poor relief schemes, establishing equal Lansbury’s leadership was later pay for women (at a time when women commemorated in the local estate erected under 30 could not vote) and a minimum as a model of post war reconstruction wage for council workers which was far during the 1951 Festival of Britain, while above market rate. the construction of the Baths itself was Their summons to the High Court was an expression of the socialist ideals of the answered with a protest march of Borough in the inter-war period.

4 5 A PIECE OF SOCIAL HISTORY HISTORIC BATHS IN USE

The first set of baths on the site was completed in 1852, during a short- Beyond their obvious function as leisure facilities, public baths also lived period of prosperity for the area. It housed First and Second class played a role in improving the health and hygiene of the local pools, slipper baths (for private, individual ablutions) and a laundry facility. population in an era before mass provision of sanitation. Its second incarnation, opened in 1934, The larger baths such as Poplar included was concerned with more than just public laundry facilities, drying racks and hygiene and sanitation, with facilities for rows of ‘slipper baths’ - individual bath health, fitness and community activities. tubs whereby bathers were provided Built at a challenging time for the local with a towel and soap, and could adjust community: Poplar had the highest rate temperature until comfortable. Public baths of poverty in London; it was commissioned reached a peak of popularity among the by the local Mayor, George Lansbury who working classes in the first decades of the had just created history by withholding 20th century. tax contributions to national Government, In Western Europe, the Turkish bath as ‘The Poplar Rates Rebellion’, insisting that a method of cleansing the body and the greater need was nearer to home. He relaxation was particularly popular during made the building contract conditional on the Victorian era, after promotion by David local labour being used. Urquart, a diplomat and MP for Stafford. By The building was immediately celebrated, the early twentieth century, Turkish Baths the architectural press at the time (or related Russian Baths) could be found in describing it as “the first building in Poplar, Bethnal Green, Greenwich, Finsbury, Britain to develop the idea for a low East Ham, Stepney, Hackney, Woolwich, cost civic building [… ] it stands above Bermondsey and Deptford. its contemporaries in architectural In addition, the multi-purpose first class importance.” pool hall at Poplar was converted in The building has an assertive art deco winter months to function as a dance hall, façade – determinedly different to the cinema, theatre and boxing venue. ornate Edwardian facades, or domestically scaled ‘cottage’ baths. The functional, industrial look was designed to be relevant and applicable to the local community of dockyard, transport and factory workers. It heralded the arrival of modernism and evoked civic pride, and ultimately optimism.

6 7 DECLINE AND REVIVAL CONSERVATION PLAN

The baths closed in 1986 after a section of the building fell into the Highlights and complexities of Restoration and replacement pool hall. The building was then briefly used as a construction-training the project The Grade II listed building has a number of centre and had been derelict since 1994. • Retaining a single volume space to significant features, many badly damaged The next chapter in Poplar Baths history Brought back to life again to a design by make the most of the visually and following years of poor maintenance. The begins in August 2016 as the building Pringle Richards Sharratt architects, the technically stunning original vaulted remaining 1930s curved wall tiles, metal emerges from over two decades iconic Art Deco building steadfastly retains concrete arch construction. banding, black stone inlay and terrazzo of neglect and disuse, into its latest its original aims and social aspirations. • Removing the building’s history of class flooring have required careful restoration incarnation as a vibrant community leisure Modernity in space, use and purpose and segregation and opening up the spaces work. These have been reinstalled in the and fitness facility, expected to host over a designed with the health and welfare to create a simple, legible, rationalised reception area to recreate the impressive thousand people each week. needs of its community in mind. and unified amenity. entrance hall. The bath’s original plunge • Maintaining and using the beautiful things pool, unique in its configuration and form, of the building: entrance, staircase, sports has been entirely removed and re-sited hall, including replacing the glazed within the new interior. clerestory and stepped windows. Fixtures and fittings have been carefully Just as previous incarnations of the building matched to those salvaged during the reflect the social history of Poplar with redesign and reconstruction, including segregated class ‘zoning’; so today’s clocks, light fittings, unified building also contains adaptations door handles and appropriate to the local community’s signage. A feature ethnic diversity with careful provision for bank has been female-only areas and poolside screening. created to store historic features for future display and reference.

8 9 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BUILDING

Delivered as part of a wider public private partnership that also delivered 100 new socially let apartments and a new youth centre, the £15 million leisure centre houses a large sports hall; community pool (25x12.5m); learner pool (12.5x7m); gym; two studios for exercise classes; a roof-top multi-use games area; dry and wet changing areas; staff facilities including a prayer/quiet room; play area and café with small exhibition space. Returning this prominent building to its rightful status as an inviting, purposeful and valued destination. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs said: Claire Brady of Historic England added: “I am thrilled that such a prestigious “Thanks to such a fantastic project, people building has been brought back into use will now be able to enjoy its facilities as well and will benefit the local community. Many as appreciate the history and value of such people have memories of using the baths, a magnificent building.” and are pleased to see it back in use for new generations to enjoy.”

10 11 BEFORE AND AFTER

12 13 AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

Poplar Baths is a state-of-the-art facility at the heart of the local community providing programmes, projects and activities to help more people in the area get active, more often. GLL’s community team aims to support, engage and increase participation by all members of the community.

There are a number of programmes available already at Poplar Baths, however, we want to hear from you about what you want to see at your centre. Please email [email protected] or come into the centre to give us feedback.

Poplar Baths will have women’s only courses to suit. They deliver high-quality, health and fitness sessions including WOW complete teaching programmes which (Women Only Wednesdays) evenings. give participants the opportunity to learn Sessions will be held in the studio, sports hall, and refine their skills through a whole host swimming pool, gym, with football sessions of different sports and activities. on the rooftop all-weather pitch. Men We offer lessons and courses in gymnastics, only swimming sessions will be held every trampolining, football, Better Swim School Tuesday evening from 7.00pm until close. and much more, to find out more please Every Wednesday morning Poplar Baths will visit: www.better.org.uk/lessonsandcourses be inviting those aged 50 and over to its We have teamed up with Badminton Young@Heart programme from 10.00am – England and England Netball to run drop-in 1.00pm. There will be a variety of activities and coaching sessions for all abilities. No available to take part in, including group Strings badminton will take place twice a fitness classes, sport classes and swimming. week with one evening and one weekend For more information please email: session and Netball Now sessions will take [email protected] place weekly. Whatever your age or ability, Poplar Baths For more information about how to get has different health and fitness lessons and involved visit: www.better.org.uk/poplarbaths

14 15 TOWER HAMLETS GUILDMORE

Situated north of the river Thames and east of the City of London, Guildmore has been creating and constructing intelligent and Tower Hamlets is a bustling and vibrant London Borough, which imaginative spaces for people to live and work since 1998. amongst other key developments includes the redeveloped Our project portfolio includes private and Our diverse range of developments Docklands area encompassing West India Docks and Canary Wharf. public partnership schemes, sensitive represent innovative design and As a borough with a history of global Underpinning the Local Plan is the policy historic renovations, leisure facility fit-outs environmentally responsible construction. inward migration, it enjoys a diverse range objective of ‘Re-Inventing the Hamlets’ and major refurbishment programmes. We set standards for best practice in sustainable, ethical building design, of built environment and rich architecture which sets out to strengthen and transform Design-led and family owned, Guildmore is construction and operation and we have created by a legacy of cultural and existing places in the borough by enabling a reliable provider of high quality, desirable achieved accreditations to: The Chartered heritage markers contained within the diverse communities to prosper while properties, where people, communities Institute of Building (CIOB), ISO:9001. established ‘Hamlets’ that front the historic building on their strategic importance as and business can flourish. docklands, river edges and ancient unique parts of inner London. 14001 & 18001, Waste & Resource Action Engin Ertosun, the Managing Director, arterial roman roads. The borough benefits Programme (WRAP). London Borough of Tower Hamlets has successfully built up a business from large metropolitan green spaces at We at Guildmore have significant Mulberry Place which understands the value of public Victoria Park, Mile End Park and the Queen experience in working in partnership with 2nd Floor private development ventures. With an Elizabeth Olympic Park – all supported by local authorities on large construction 5 Clove Crescent entrepreneurial style, strategic vision an extensive network of rivers and canals. projects and delivering a comprehensive London and operational expertise Engin ensures service. We work in collaboration with our Tower Hamlets was one of the first E14 2BG Guildmore provides its clients and partners partners ensuring open communication councils in England to deliver an urban with a high quality and comprehensive Tel: 020 7364 5009 lines throughout the project, working design-led spatial approach to plan response on all development activity, Web: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk together to achieve a common aim. making and also one of the first London regardless of scale or complexity. boroughs to adopt its Core Strategy in www.guildmore.com Every new build is designed to be stylish, 2010 (part of the Local Plan). spacious and environmentally friendly. From first concept, through to planning, construction, design & fit-out, maintenance and support, Guildmore provides high quality sustainable buildings. No project is ever the same, yet you can always recognise a Guildmore project by its high standards, attention to details and innovation.

16 17 GLL PRINGLE RICHARDS PRINGLE RICHARDS SHARRATT SHARRATT ARCHITECTS ARCHITECTS Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based not-for-profit charitable Established in 1996, Pringle Richards Sharratt is known for its significant social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. portfolio of cultural projects, including the award winning William This means we work for the benefit of We pride ourselves on providing high Morris Gallery in Walthamstow and the Black Cultural Archives in everyone: the public, the communities quality leisure and fitness facilities at Brixton; as well as its track record in urban landscape renewal and we work in, the environment, our staff and affordable prices, so everyone in our regeneration, most recently in Hull and Folkestone. our partners. partner boroughs can enjoy the benefits of The ability to be involved in the restoration a healthy and active lifestyle. Under the consumer facing brand Better, of Poplar Baths with its potential to help the organisation operates more than Alongside the organisation’s core leisure regeneration in such an important part of 200 public sport and leisure centres and and library divisions, GLL runs sport and East London was a fantastic opportunity 57 libraries in partnership with more than legacy development, health intervention to build on such a substantial amount 30 local councils, public agencies and and education, as well as offering the of work within the heritage and social sporting organisations. Better leisure GLL Sports Foundation, one of the largest community sectors. facilities enjoy 40 million visitors a year and independent support programmes for “Our design put the conservation of the have more than 650,000 members. talented young athletes in the UK. building at its core – both in physical GLL exists to make community services and For more information about GLL please visit: terms, but also in its role as a relevant and spaces better for everyone. In practice, www.gll.org important local amenity.” explains Malcolm that means investing all profits back into McGregor, Director at Pringle, Richards, providing quality leisure and fitness facilities Sharratt. “A detailed process of conservation for the good of the communities where analysis and community engagement has GLL operates. resulted in a triumphant return of Poplar Baths – recreating the optimism and civic pride that heralded its previous openings.”

18 19 PETER DEER AND ASSOCIATES BREEAM

This exciting project included the partial demolition, reconstruction The following project related information is publicised in the case study: and refurbishment of an existing Grade II listed swimming pool and A basic description of the project Services Costs sports hall, which also included an adjacent 10 floor block of 60 flats. and building £2.4 Million. Enabling works included the relocation of and were responsible for the design of The Grade II listed Poplar Baths building External Works an existing substation which remained live the mechanical and electrical services originally opened in 1934 and was one throughout the construction work. The new systems including heating, comfort cooling, of the finest early 20th century municipal £250 Thousand. leisure facility includes 2 swimming pools, ventilation, hot and cold water services, swimming pools in the country. Since its Gross floor area wet and dry changing rooms, studios, public health, lighting, power, fire alarm, closure in 1986 it had fallen into disrepair. gymnasium, roof top games area ‘MUGA’ data/telecommunications, photovoltaic In 2011 the council revealed plans for the 5251m2 GIA. pitch, reception and café. Heat generation panels, PA and access control systems. The regeneration of the Grade II listed building. Total area of site – hectares is via a gas fired combined heat and services installations were integrated into the Guildmore established a consortium to power system. existing listed building fabric in the ‘1st class’ design, build and finance this project, 2060m2 – 0.21ha. listed sports hall section of the development. PDA were involved from design inception including the maintenance and operation Function areas and their size to completion of the installation contract www.peterdeer.co.uk of the leisure Centre over a 35 year period, working together with GLL, one of the UK’s Non-Paying Public (Café, Play Area, 2 largest operators of public leisure facilities. Membership Desk) – 177m .

2 BREEAM Rating and score Sports Facilities – 2623m • Pool Hall – 765m2; PEP CIVIL AND STRUCTURES LTD Design stage of ‘Very Good’ with a score • Sports Hall – 698m2 of 56% • Gym – 401m2 The key innovative and low-impact design • Studio – 165m2 • Multi Games Area – 594m2. PEP are a Civil and Structural Engineering Consultancy, formed from features of the building the merger of two well established consultancies in the early 1990s. CHP (Gas), Natural ventilation to sports Sports Ancillary Areas – 729m2 hall, LED lights (mostly) with presence & • Wet Changing Areas – 486m2 The company has progressively gained We are an IPD Registered company under absence detection, water saving sanitary • Sports Viewing Area – 71m2 a significant reputation for our innovative the Institution of Structural Engineers ware, pool water backwash recycling for • Dry Change – 172m2. and cost-effective approach on a range of training system, and can therefore offer WC flush water; low power fans. 2 technically challenging projects. We currently support, guidance and training to satisfy Staff/Office Areas – 237m . work in the leisure, retail, commercial, the Institution’s requirements for Technician, Basic Building Cost Plant Rooms – 577m2. industrial, residential, educational and Incorporated and Chartered membership. £15 Million. healthcare market sectors, with project www.pepgroup.co.uk values ranging from £2 million to £250 million.

20 21 Area of circulation Predicted water use – m3/person/year

550m2. Estimated at 15 m3/centre user/year.

Area of storage % predicted water use to be provided by rainwater or greywater 239m2. Estimated at 15%, [pool backwash used for % area of grounds to be used by toilet flushing]. community (where relevant) The steps taken during the construction 67% (3529m2). process to reduce environmental % area of buildings to be used by impacts, i.e. innovative construction community (where relevant) management techniques

67% (3529m2). • Segregated all waste • Recycled water for all welfare facilities Predicted electricity consumption • Operated wheel wash facility and regular Assume this should be kWh/m2/annum street washing of the estate roads. estimated at 120 kWh/m2/year. A list of any social or economically Predicted fossil fuel consumption sustainable measures achieved/piloted.

Assume this should be kWh/m2/annum • Local employment offering estimated at 280 kWh/m2/year. apprenticeships and long term work opportunities for both young and the Predicted renewable energy generation - long term unemployed in the area. kWh/m • Regular attendance at local authority Assume this should be kWh/year, estimated event days at 50,000 kWh per year. • Worked with Resident liaison teams • Local suppliers.

22 23 Registered in England No. 3517348. Registered Office: 99 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8TY. VAT Registered No. 718481028.

MAIN CONTRACTOR • DEVELOPER • JOINT VENTURES

GUILDMORE LTD T 020 8313 5050 E [email protected] www.guildmore.com