Planning approved for Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
Gaining planning approval marks a defining moment for the future of one of Britain’s greatest sporting stages. It has been a privilege to help shape the next chapter of a place that has witnessed some of the most extraordinary moments in British sporting history, from the legendary Coe, Ovett and Cram rivalries that defined an era, to Colin Jackson’s world-class hurdling, Steve Backley’s record-breaking throws, Sally Gunnell’s triumphs, and countless performances that have inspired generations.
Great sporting venues only endure because they continue to evolve. Our approach has been to unlock the value already embedded within Crystal Palace, its character, its significance and its remarkable heritage, designing with those qualities rather than over them, while ensuring the venue is equipped to meet the needs of future generations.
This is far more than a restoration. It is the reimagining of a national sporting landmark, opening it to the wider community, revitalising a treasured public asset, and creating an environment where future champions can train, compete and inspire sporting moments of their own.
WOO is proud to be working alongside the Greater London Authority, Morgan Sindall and the wider project team to help safeguard and enhance this national venue, ensuring it continues to inspire athletes, clubs and communities for decades to come.
Read about it here:
https://www.thetimes.com/sport/athletics/article/crystal-palace-athletics-stadium-130m-revamp-zk65sqbjn
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7dw43e2jqo
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contractors/morgan-sindall/morgan-sindall-gains-approval-for-100m-crystal-palace-sports-centre-overhaul-24-07-2026/
The Times reveals LTA’s plan to build ‘St George’s Park of tennis’
We are incredibly proud to be playing our part in helping the LTA shape the next chapter for British tennis. It is an opportunity to create a truly world-class environment that brings together player development, coaching, sports science, medicine, innovation and education within a single campus – one that can inspire generations of players to come.
Working alongside the LTA on this vision for Roehampton is an exciting opportunity to help create a national centre that supports everyone from aspiring juniors through to Grand Slam champions.
We are grateful for the trust the LTA has placed in our team here at WOO and look forward to continuing to develop a masterplan that reflects the ambition of British tennis and creates a lasting legacy for the sport.
Read the article here: https://www.thetimes.com/sport/tennis/wimbledon/article/revealed-lta-roehampton-st-georges-park-tennis-wimbledon-9cgnj3hnd?eafs_enabled=false
Philip Johnson joins WOO as a Director
WOO have appointed Philip Johnson as a Director, strengthening the practices’ position within the sports and entertainment venue market.
An architect and masterplanner with more than 25 years’ experience, Philip has led the design and delivery of some of the world’s most significant sports and entertainment projects during his time at Populous. His work includes the Riverside Stand at Fulham FC, the masterplan and Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, the redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse and the Olympic Stadium in London.
Known for combining strategic thinking with complex project delivery, Philip brings deep international experience across sport, entertainment and large-scale urban development. Philip said: “I am delighted to be joining WOO at such an exciting moment for the studio. I have long admired Kevin Owens and the team for the originality and ambition of their work, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the next phase of the company’s international growth.”
Kevin Owens responded: “We are thrilled to welcome Philip to WOO. Having known him for 20 years, I can say his track record truly speaks for itself. As we look ahead to the next chapter for the studio, having someone of his calibre, ambition and character alongside us is genuinely exciting.”
WOO are delighted to be appointed as part of the Morgan Sindall team for Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
WOO architects are delighted to be part of the Morgan Sindall Group team for the redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and Athletics Stadium.
Morgan Sindall, appointed by the Greater London Authority, will see the rejuvination of the Grade II-listed sports centre and breathe new life into the pools, indoor facilities, external pitches, and athletics stadium. Led by the vision of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the project is part of a broader commitment to delivering improved sporting facilities for the local and wider London community.
We’re proud to be working alongside Faulkner Brown, Max Fordham LLP and Alan Baxter Ltd.
Crystal Palace is an iconic venue with a rich sporting legacy and deep cultural significance, and we’re excited by the GLA’s ambition behind the project to create a truly inclusive, future-ready venue that not only celebrates elite sport, but also fosters community wellbeing and participation.
Explore the project here: Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London
WOO shortlisted for World Architecture Festival Awards 2025
WOO is delighted to be a finalist in two categories for this year’s World Architecture Festival awards. In the Sports category – our work for the Paris 2024 Olympics has been recognised in the La Défense Arena where we created a temporary, Olympic-class aquatics venue. And in the ‘Display’ category we’ve been selected for our design of the temporary UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. We’re particularly pleased that temporary and reusable structures are gaining this sort of high-level recognition.