Norwich Sports Village is Grade II listed by Ministers
The concrete complex was finished in 1991 and is one of three structures of it's kind made in England since the 70s
Norwich Sports Village has been made a Grade two listed building by he Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The complex was built between 1987 and 1991 and is the only work completed by Swiss engineer Heinz Isler in Britain.
The protection is also being given for its exceptional “inverted membrane” concrete shells.
These distinctive features are the only example of free-form shell design in Britain.
Norwich Sports Village is one of only three shell structures built in England since the 1970s.
The listing covers the concrete shells forming the Sports Hall, former Skating Rink and Swimming Pool.
These structures remain complete and unaltered since construction. The complex continues to operate as an active sports facility.
Heinz Isler designed around 1,000 shell structures across Europe. Four of his buildings in Switzerland are protected by listing.
"Recognises a remarkable and internationally significant building"
Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said: “The listing of Norwich Sports Village recognises a remarkable and internationally significant building in the heart of the city. The only building in Britain by celebrated structural designer Heinz Isler, it is a striking historical landmark and an important part of the local community.”
Catherine Croft, Director, the Twentieth Century Society, said: “The graceful, tent-like canopies at Norwich Sports Village are a masterpiece of engineering, making the super-fine 100mm thick concrete shell ripple and billow like it’s blowing in the wind.
These are unique structures in the UK and we’re delighted to see them recognised with national listing. Perhaps just as importantly, they’re still well used and serving their original purpose; to provide an elegant and practical shelter for the various activities beneath - a swim, trip to the gym, or a game of tennis.”
Professor John Chilton, Emeritus Professor Architecture & Tectonics, University of Nottingham, said: “2026 marks the centenary of Heinz Isler’s birth. He would have been absolutely thrilled that the shells of Norwich Sports Village have been listed.
These unique, in the UK, examples of his sports hall and swimming pool shell roofs were the culmination of years of playful exploration and precise experimentation with physical models to find the most structurally efficient and aesthetically pleasing long-span, reinforced concrete shell forms.