Project Overview
A family of busy business owners in Maidenhead, Berkshire, approached Maidenhead Planning with plans to add a dedicated indoor pool house alongside a gym and sauna.
They wanted a high-quality, purpose-built leisure space that would complement their home and support their lifestyle, with minimal day-to-day involvement from them.
Maidenhead Planning was appointed to lead the project throughout. Our team developed the design, managed the planning application, produced the full set of technical drawings, acted as principal designer on site, and oversaw the build through to completion.
Managing Planning Constraints and Client Priorities
The site in Maidenhead sits within the green belt and a conservation area, creating important planning considerations that require a careful, well-supported application.
Alongside navigating these constraints, a key objective was to reduce the administrative and organisational pressure on the clients, whose demanding schedules left little time for managing a construction project.
We took responsibility for coordinating the process, ensuring decisions were presented clearly and at the right stages, and guiding the project forward with much-needed structure that balanced the clients’ ambitions with local planning requirements.
Design and Technical Challenges
One of the most interesting aspects of the project lay in the building's engineering requirements.
The design needed to accommodate a cool, dry gym space positioned close to a hot sauna and a warm, humid pool environment. Achieving this called for careful consideration of ventilation, moisture control, and thermal separation so that each space could perform as intended without affecting the others.
Those key technical factors were incorporated into both the design development and construction detailing, ensuring the finished building would remain comfortable, durable, and practical to run.
Timeline and Delivery
The project moved from initial design through to completion in approximately 12 months. Throughout this period, we managed the key stages of design coordination, planning approval, technical documentation, and on-site delivery.
By maintaining consistent communication with contractors and providing clear information at each step, the build progressed efficiently and within scope. Our role as principal designer and build manager enabled us to maintain alignment between quality, programme, and compliance, while giving clients confidence that the project was being handled professionally from start to finish.
Outcome
The completed pool house, gym, and sauna provide a striking and highly functional addition to the property. The finished space reflects the original vision and has enhanced the clients’ day-to-day lifestyle, giving them a dedicated area for relaxation, fitness, and leisure at home. The project was delivered successfully within the site's planning constraints, and the clients were thrilled with the final result. A fine example of how careful design, planning expertise, and full project management can deliver complex residential additions smoothly and effectively.
Posted by Wouter De Jager on March 5th 2026
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