Loughborough Off-Road Cycling Hub, was a project conceptualised for Architectural Engineering third-year students with a goal to design a fully functioning cycling hub intertwined with the realm of cyclo-cross. 

Currently, there are no dedicated cycling areas on the Loughborough campus. Developing an off-road cycling circuit would provide a safe, traffic-free environment suitable for everyone from complete beginners to elite cyclists. This initiative would align with and support several key aspects of the university’s strategy, including sport, health and wellbeing, climate action and net zero goals, as well as fostering vibrant and inclusive communities.

Currently, the university lacks the facilities needed to meaningfully support cycling as a primary mode of transport. The introduction of a cycle circuit could be complemented by broader investments such as secure bike storage, changing facilities and lockers for staff, a campus-wide bike rental scheme, and a dedicated bicycle maintenance workshop. Together, these developments would create a culture of cycling at Loughborough, supporting health, sustainability, and community engagement.

Designing the circuit to accommodate the requirements of a competitive cyclo-cross course would enable it to host formal races while remaining accessible for a wider range of off-road cyclists, including mountain and hybrid bike users. This inclusivity would encourage participation from all skill levels. With existing infrastructure such as car parking and the stadium nearby, the venue could feasibly host BUCS and national-level cyclo-cross events in the future.

This project became a culmination of all the opportunities and constraints explained above where the ramp of the project became part of the obstacles required for the cyclo-cross course. Tailoring the building to fit the form of the ramp was a challenge that was well resolved through iterative processes, revealing a perfect combination of the ramp with the building.