A new tennis pavilion shaped around community, comfort and low-energy design

Across the UK, tennis clubs are asking a pressing question: What should the next generation of clubhouse look like?
Many clubs are working with ageing buildings, rising energy costs, and growing memberships. The need for a modern, sustainable tennis pavilion has never been clearer.

At Sutton Churches Lawn Tennis Club in London, we were invited to rethink the future clubhouse as a compact but ambitious piece of architecture → a pavilion that strengthens everyday club life while setting a template for how small sports buildings can perform in a low-carbon world.

The expressive roof structure and CLT detailing give the new pavilion a contemporary character rooted in material honesty and low-energy design.

A clubhouse designed for the rhythm of tennis

Great tennis pavilions understand that the life of a club happens in waves: players warming up, parents watching, kids drifting between courts, members gathering after a match.
So we designed spaces that work with, not against, this rhythm.

A bright clubroom opens directly to the courts, turning the interior into a natural extension of the game. A long, shaded terrace gives spectators and players a place to pause, cool down, or cheer on friends. Circulation stays clean because practical spaces are tucked away with intention.

For tennis clubs searching for new clubhouse ideas, this approach ensures every square metre earns its keep.

Inside the clubroom, natural light and warm timber surfaces create a relaxed social core for players, families and visitors.

Timber structure, clear identity

The pavilion’s character comes from two bold decisions:
→ a finely crafted CLT structure for warmth, performance, and low embodied carbon
← a crisp red zinc roof that creates a strong silhouette and clear sense of arrival

Lowering the building slightly into the site creates an intuitive, welcoming threshold from Gander Green Lane. The proportions remain modest, but the identity is unmistakable. This pavilion is a landmark for the club without overwhelming the suburban setting.

The pavilion viewed from the red courts at dusk, with the zinc roof forming a striking identity for Sutton Churches Tennis Club.

Built for long-term affordability

Many tennis clubs operate with careful budgets, so the building is designed for minimal maintenance and low operational cost.
We placed sustainability at the core:

• high-performance fabric to reduce energy demand

• airtightness for comfort and efficiency

• integrated solar panels for on-site electricity generation

• CLT for a low-carbon structure and cleaner construction process

• deep eaves to protect the building and reduce overheating

The pavilion is being designed to meet the AECB CarbonLite New Build standard, ensuring long-term savings alongside responsible environmental performance.

For clubs planning a new tennis pavilion, this approach is proof that sustainability and affordability strengthen each other.

The deep canopy frames social life at the club, offering shelter, space to gather and a strong connection to the surrounding courts.

A social hub, not a side room

A successful clubhouse does more than serve practical needs. It becomes the club’s cultural anchor.
Here, the architecture encourages both spectatorship and togetherness. The terrace works as a semi-outdoor living room. The clubroom becomes a warm, timber-lined space for celebration, coaching, team meetings or quiet moments after a tough match.

Tennis clubs thrive when members linger, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. The pavilion is intentionally crafted to support that instinct.

A shaded edge that blends circulation, spectatorship and rest — the pavilion’s CLT structure creates a calm threshold between clubroom and courts.

A contemporary building rooted in tradition

Sutton Churches is a long-established community tennis club. We wanted a building that feels modern yet grounded, contemporary yet familiar.
Robust materials, calm proportions, and careful detailing give this pavilion longevity. It stands confidently within the landscape but remains part of the club’s existing character.

For clubs exploring options for a new clubhouse, this project demonstrates how a small building can express ambition without losing a sense of place.

Towards planning

We are now preparing the planning application → the next step toward realising a pavilion that elevates the experience of playing, gathering and belonging at Sutton Churches.

For tennis clubs across the UK looking to upgrade facilities, reduce energy use, attract new members, or build a meaningful architectural legacy, this project offers a clear example of what a modern tennis pavilion can achieve.

Ready to rethink your own tennis clubhouse?

If your club is considering a new pavilion and wants an architect who cares about sustainability, identity, and community impact, we’d be glad to talk.

→ Email us at architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk
→ Or call the studio on 020 3947 5886

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