HORIZON – GUILDFORD
Mezzanine Gym Fit-Out Planning, Design, and Technical Excellence
Structural Transformation of a Former Squash Club
DBI’s design team identified the potential locked within four derelict squash courts and delivered a bold structural overhaul, opening up the entire floorplate to create a single, cohesive and contemporary gym environment — complete with a new mezzanine floor for functional training.
Full-Facility Refurbishment from Entrance to Pool
Every area of the building was touched — from a reimagined reception and studio entrance through to fully reconfigured male and female changing rooms, a new DDA-compliant facility, and an elevated spa experience with steam room and glass sauna overlooking the pool.
External Works to Complete a Complete Transformation
The project extended beyond the building envelope, with external cladding, facade repairs and car park works carried out to bring the entire site into a modern era, ensuring the first impression matched the quality of the fit-out within.
DBI were appointed by Horizon Leisure to undertake a complete design and build refurbishment of their Guildford leisure centre, a facility that had fallen well behind the expectations of its members and the community it served. The brief was clear — to take a tired, dated health club and transform it into a premium contemporary leisure destination. DBI’s in-house design team led a detailed pre-construction design period, working closely with the client to develop a vision that would maximise the potential of a challenging and complex existing building.
The most significant structural challenge on site was the legacy of four redundant squash courts that occupied a large portion of the building. These had previously been repurposed in an ad hoc manner to serve as disjointed gym and café spaces, creating a fragmented and uninspiring member experience. DBI’s technical team developed a solution to open up the squash court structures entirely, removing the dividing walls to create one expansive, flowing gym floor. The result is a dramatically improved training environment with a sense of scale and quality that the original layout could never have achieved.
To further extend the usable floor area and introduce a dedicated zone for functional training activities, a new mezzanine floor was designed and constructed above part of the main gym space. This addition gave the facility a multi-level training experience, allowing the ground floor to be optimised for cardio and strength equipment whilst the mezzanine provides a distinct and energetic space for functional and group training. The structural works required careful engineering coordination and were delivered within the tight 16-week programme.
The entrance and reception areas were completely reimagined as part of the refurbishment, replacing a dated and unwelcoming approach with a bright, airy and modern arrival experience. Leading directly from reception, a new multiuse studio was created — purpose-built for instructor-led classes and designed with acoustics, sprung flooring and high-quality finishes as a priority. The studio and entrance sequence set the tone for the entire facility and deliver the strong first impression that Horizon Guildford’s members now enjoy.
Particular attention was paid to the changing and welfare facilities, which were completely reconfigured for both male and female members. New layouts were designed to improve flow, privacy and the overall member experience, with high-end finishes throughout including bespoke joinery, tiling and lighting. A new fully compliant DDA changing facility was incorporated as part of the redesign, ensuring the facility is accessible and welcoming to all. The corridor connecting the changing areas through to the pool and spa was finished to the same elevated standard, creating a consistent and premium journey through the building.
The spa and pool environs were elevated significantly through the creation of new wet leisure facilities. A new steam room was constructed and, as a standout design feature, a fabulous glazed sauna was installed directly overlooking the swimming pool — providing members with a unique and high-end recovery experience. To complete the transformation, comprehensive external works were carried out including new facade cladding, building repairs and car park improvements, ensuring that Horizon Guildford now presents as a modern, welcoming destination from the moment members arrive on site.
