Carmarthenshire County Council sought a landscape-led development which is the first of its size and scope that integrates health, research, education and community wellbeing. It required a sustainable, multi-disciplinary design to regenerate a post-industrial site, deliver world-class healthcare and support active lifestyles. The project needed to foster collaboration, improve healthy life years and connect meaningfully with local communities.

Arup supported Carmarthenshire County Council throughout the whole project, from delivering a landscape-led regenerative masterplan design, to completing this first landmark development at the heart of the site. Our role involved a range of multidisciplinary design services, including architecture, landscape architecture engineering and specialist advice. Our approach aimed to regenerate a post-industrial site into a vibrant, inclusive campus for health, education and innovation.

We moved from multidisciplinary design lead to a client‑side technical adviser and NEC site supervisor, working with Gleeds to safeguard design intent through construction and the defects period. By ensuring quality, sustainability and community benefit, the project now supports community health, economic growth and environmental restoration. This long‑term focus has created a flexible, future‑proofed development that aligns with national wellbeing goals and sets a new benchmark for regeneration in Wales.

A landscape-led journey to inclusive regeneration 

Arup facilitated extensive engagement with Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board and community stakeholders. This collaboration shaped the project brief, operational requirements and design strategy, ensuring alignment with local needs, funding constraints and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act Wales. The result was a robust, adaptable masterplan that supports long-term community and economic goals. 

The development is targeted to achieve BREEAM Excellent accreditation, with passive design and sustainable drainage strategies embedded throughout (including 1,250m² of solar PV and air source heat pumps). The landscape-led masterplan features rain gardens, green roofs, wildflower meadows and therapeutic sensory gardens, enhancing biodiversity and promoting overall wellbeing.

A couple of women walking outside a building.

Sensory gardens lead visitors on an exploration of the human senses, while providing a therapeutic and educational environment. ©Simon Kennedy

A group of people in a large building.

The atrium is the heart of the community space, acting as the ‘social landscape’ welcoming all users to the health and wellbeing facility. ©Simon Kennedy

People sitting at tables in a building.

The regenerative landscape design seeks to bring the outside in, encouraging people to explore and remain active. ©Simon Kennedy

Embedding technical excellence and innovation

Our architecture, landscape and engineering solutions were designed to enhance the social experience, promote wellbeing and collaboration and foster community engagement. 

The development is organised as a series of clusters connected by an enclosed street. Its scale references the proportions of Llanelli’s historic core. Landscape elements permeate the courtyard entrances, subtly eroding the building form, while key internal spaces enjoy views across the lake

A simple and robust palette of materials were curated to create a timeless, welcoming and low maintenance building which responds to its context. The high-quality structural solutions enhance the user-experience. The glulam timber trusses bring natural warmth, and the steel frame and precast concrete floors allow for wide, open spaces which lets in more daylight. This makes the space feel less industrial and more human-centred.

Canolfan Pentre Awel is a cornerstone of our vision for a stronger, healthier Carmarthenshire. I am excited to see local people engaging with the space and making it their own already. It is centred around our community and a true example of what can be achieved when all sectors come together for a shared purpose and goal. I would like to thank Arup for their support and expertise throughout the project.

Cllr Hazel Evans

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Carmarthenshire County Council

All buildings were founded on precast driven piles to address ground contamination, allowing us to build safely and sustainably on a challenging site. The energy centre integrates air source heat pumps and a low-temperature hot water network, future-proofed for district energy expansion. This system not only reduces carbon emissions but also supports long-term operational resilience and cost-effectiveness.

Arup developed comprehensive fire safety, acoustic and security strategies, embedding evacuation lifts, compartmentation and ‘designing out crime’ principles. These measures ensure that the campus is not only functional but also secure and inclusive for all users. These solutions have helped Pentre Awel become a technically advanced, environmentally responsible and community driven development.

A building with many windows.

The architecture and landscape design are carefully integrated to enhance the wellbeing experience. ©Simon Kennedy

A swimming pool with a person sitting in it.

The wet sports block includes a 25m pool, a learner pool and a hydrotherapy pool, for the use of the local community and health practitioners. ©Simon Kennedy

A group of people working out in a gym.

The dry sports block includes a multi-sports hall, a gym and specialist active sports rooms for public use. ©Simon Kennedy

Shaping a healthier future 

Our work has helped create a landmark development that sets a benchmark for regeneration in Wales. By integrating world class health, education, and innovation in an inclusive environment, the project makes Carmarthenshire a premier destination for wellbeing and active living. 

Canolfan Pentre Awel is Llanelli’s latest development that brings together public, private and third sectors all under one roof, all designed to improve health and wellbeing, boost the economy and support people at all stages of life. The project is the first of its kind in Wales.

A model of a house.

Architectural model at concept design stage.

Diagram, engineering drawing.

Landscape architecture concept sketch, Pentre Awel Masterplan.

Diagram.

Architectural concept sketch, Pentre Awel Atrium.

Partners & collaborators

Gleeds / Bouygues