Enniskillen is already home to the world’s first Passivhaus Premium educational facility, and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council have set an ambitious goal for this project to also achieve Passivhaus certification. Once completed, it’s anticipated that this will be the first Passivhaus leisure centre in Ireland.

The refreshed facility will provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor amenities, including an eight-lane swimming pool, separate learner pool, splash pad, gym, café, sensory room and soft play area. Outside lies a destination playpark, 3G sports pitch, cycling, walking and running tracks, a pump track, and an active waterfront area, all designed to enhance community access to sport and recreation.

TB+A were appointed to provide full engineering services design and dynamic thermal modelling to compliment the PHPP analysis and support the Council’s ambitious energy performance targets. Working collaboratively with the client, architect, and wider design team through RIBA Stages 1–4, our team developed tailored low-energy engineering solutions to meet stringent thermal comfort and efficiency goals. For continuity of service, TB+A were novated to the Graham delivery team and continue to provide technical input through RIBA Stage 5. The project is being delivered to BIM Level 2 standards and TB+A continue to employ a digitalised, integrated approach to engineering.

Key sustainable features include:

• Optimised building form, orientation, solar exposure and thermal zoning
• Excellent fabric insulation and air tightness standards
• Careful plant positioning to minimise distribution losses
• Optimised pipework design to minimise pumping power
• Low specific fan power systems with high-efficiency heat recovery
• Shower wastewater heat recovery
• Air source heat pumps for space heating and domestic hot water with heat recovery from chilled water systems
• Microfiltration pool systems to minimise energy and water use
• Extensive rooftop solar photovoltaic panel array
• Provisions for EV charging.

Once completed, Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will be a flagship low-energy, high-performance leisure destination delivering exceptional occupant comfort, operational efficiency, and reduced carbon emissions. The project demonstrates TB+A’s ability to combine technical excellence with an integrated approach to meet ambitious environmental goals and support long-term community wellbeing.