Footballs From Heaven: The Student Block With a Five-A-Side Pitch On The Roof
A Midlands student housing scheme will have a five-a-side football pitch on the roof — but protected by a wire mesh to prevent stray balls landing on pedestrians six floors below.
The developers are even talking about using kinetic energy from the strikes, runs and tackles to power floodlights, using special under-pitch technology.
The Elite scheme for the Aumberry site at Loughborough is designed by Rio Architects and promoted by Future Generation, is now before planners at Charnwood council.
The football pitch is on top of a six-storey block: the neighbouring 14-storey block is not similarly equipped. It will be available for booking by local people — but no after dark play will be permitted.
"The choice of sport was in part made to pay homage to the upcoming World Cup, but also due to the popularity of football as the ‘People’s Game’," Future Generation Associate Director Frances Turner told Bisnow.
"Our entire application for the site involves creating a feeling of community cohesion, with the pitch and ground floor co-working and multi-purpose facilities all being accessible to the wider public. Whether it be during a game of football, collaborating in our co-working spaces or during a group yoga session, we hope that our spaces will act as a hub that integrates both the students and local residents in Loughborough."
The development proposes around 500 beds in 45 cluster apartments and 91 studio apartments.
