Selhurst Sports Arena – #MERKY FC HQ Completion

KSS is immensely proud to have designed and delivered with Broadwick Studios the Selhurst Sports Arena, Croydon, the new headquarters of #MERKY FC, a collaboration between adidas and Stormzy

The #Merky FC initiative is built on two pillars – the first is a careers programme aiming to revolutionise the football industry focusing on jobs in football off the pitch, addressing the underrepresentation of individuals with Black Heritage in football leadership positions, which currently stands at only 6.7%. The second pillar is a place to call home, for #MerkyFC. A place when football, and the culture born from it, comes to live.

After three years of dedicated work, adidas and #Merky FC have transformed a neglected football pitch and dilapidated changing facilities into a cutting-edge 500 sqm facility. The new #Merky FC HQ, located in Stormzy’s hometown, boasts a full-size 3G football pitch, modern changing rooms, a sports gaming hub, state-of-the-art recording equipment for podcasts and local artists, versatile multi-purpose rooms, an educational space, a multi-purpose studio, a fully equipped kitchen, and restrooms

The site operator, Communities First Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to enhancing community engagement in housing estates and neighbourhoods, manages the space, which they managed prior to the development.

The building’s main entrance was strategically positioned to ensure that all visitors, regardless of their mode of arrival, enter simultaneously, providing a consistent experience for everyone. The new building replaces the older dilapidated facilities on a restricted site to the edge of the pitch. The new facility had to maintain the footprint of the existing and perimeter access while significantly increasing the building area. This led to the introduction of a first floor which had the added benefit of providing an accessible terrace with excellent views of the pitch.

The external material palette combines a robust grey brick on the ground floor, which provides a strong base that harmoniously links with the lighter upper level, enhanced by vertical silver-grey panels and large picture windows. This contrasting palette of external materials reflects the #Merky FC brand colour palette created by Broadwick Studios who also developed the interior look and feel and environmental graphics which effectively convey the #Merky FC brand through a cohesive visual identity and colour scheme.

The redevelopment of the sports pavilion is already making a significant impact on the local community

Steve Marks, Senior Director Brand Communications, adidas said: “We’re proud to launch #MerkyFC HQ the next chapter in adidas’ ongoing partnership with Stormzy. Supporting the development of spaces for the local community to connect, play and collaborate is a vital part of our ongoing drive to cultivate opportunities for young people. The centre is a space for everyone including those who enjoy taking part in football, but also for the discovery of other creative passions such as music and esports”