![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=119&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=f254a268e0de62f38e8d8360514d2aa5 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=237&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=7dc3cb2366e51d8d7ede49c2748ab228 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=434&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=a3534f641f7dff609f261c9f9464e268 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=578&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=3f242a46980e351f969e3a88d1384b31 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=791&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=b23515e9e728097039b128f4e8d54060 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=904&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=fd8f79a23007c2777f5e44c61e662292 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2FSeymour-Centre-sportshall-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1085&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=39816b6f05ede0f45975e2cde57d3278 1920w)
Throughout the design process, we’ve engaged with various stakeholders, existing user groups and members of the public to make sure we’re tailoring the centre to their needs. It’s important, both for us and the community, that we retain as much of the original building as possible, celebrating and preserving the grandeur of Cross’s design, and opening it up for the community to enjoy well into the future.
The model
This model was used during the public consultation for the Seymour Leisure Centre to explain the refurbishment design and communicate the various zones and uses in the building. As the model would be showcased to the public, it needed to be clear, legible and largely self-explanatory to allow anyone viewing it during a consultation session to be able to easily understand the proposals.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=137&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=f173ec621904779028092d43ac9502dd 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=273&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=65ee7cda1e57af13cf04af44a95922fc 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=500&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=102bc2116407861eb7b74e3e847edcdb 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=667&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=fb61a3f70ec47f39d7972c5be8569756 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=912&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=f74ebe89fe838fccfe58c46bfef214c9 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1042&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=7514c924a5b83b7d426831f350823fcb 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-7-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1250&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=4e3db1bb758c2e3194839806dfb479c8 1920w)
We decided to make three separate models – one for each level of the building – and mount them side by side on a display board. We also came up with a colour-coding system and series of labels to explain the different zones, highlighting the variety of uses in the building ranging from leisure, library and community spaces to back-of-house and office areas. This system allows members of the public to easily identify the areas they’re most interested in and see how the centre balances all the different uses across the three levels.
As the Seymour Centre is a Grade II-listed heritage building, it was important for us to include some of the architectural details that give the building its art deco identity. We used our 3D printer to create the facade, capturing the heritage features – particularly the window openings – then infilling with acrylic windows engraved with the existing window frame designs.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=8b7c7a323cac0d737cb0297a8551c8f4 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=60a58baded038a5b2e35cdbcf491caac 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=353c13efeeb7df2a546ef55131b6a103 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=76c098f339f5fd9acfa32c430ebd9820 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=2c88bbace98e198988d67a07c946f421 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=2c799f1bcf8bc3071b2873e97944cf9e 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-9-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=a84d5c5270fb805cb9af4c43c8553200 1920w)
We also 3D printed the internal walls in sections; this sped up the assembly process and allowed us to increase the size of the model for the given timeframe.
Finally, we animated the model with silver furniture pieces and rainbow human figures. The figures help illustrate all the uses in the building, from swimming and wheelchair tennis to treatment rooms and the library with its café. They also enliven the model, communicating both ours and the council’s vision for a renewed community centre buzzing with activity.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=5e821c83d28b982ae6b62f40580ac381 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=408661be244a87117d3c80f39d4d386b 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=fab97ce7dcc285a38494fb9da02ef48e 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=e90d0bd0e88f354768ea7b4712da6cb7 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=96eb687d90ec015c5980aa2efa89b666 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=963fbc0154279ed65c7d2f4d5c0f2ea2 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2FSeymour-Centre-MakeArchitects-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=952e09443575062cc100884c88675e53 1920w)