The winner has been announced in a hotly-contested competition to design a new leisure centre and area of public realm for Finsbury, north London.

Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects were selected from a five strong shortlist and will now develop their vision for the site, which will replace the existing 1970s Finsbury Leisure Centre building with a new sports and health hub. New council homes will also be provided as part of the scheme.

The winning design for the building features two copper-coloured volumes linked by a glass bridge. One volume, which is square, sits atop a glass box. The second, which is more sculptural, is supported by columns and covers at least two open-air artificial pitches. An outdoor running track surrounds the facility.

A judging panel, comprised of representatives from Islington Council and RIBA Competitions, praised the design as “creative and forward thinking”.

Teresa Borsuk, senior partner at Pollard Thomas Edwards, said: “We’re really delighted to win the competition and are very much looking forward to working with the council and local community to deliver what will be a special combination of leisure, health, childcare facilities, and new homes for Islington, as well as a civic legacy for Finsbury. We pass the site daily with new excitement.”

The scheme will cost approximately £50m (US$65m, €57.5m) to build.

Pollard Thomas Edwards overcame competition from Grimshaw Architects, HawkinsBrown Architects, Henley Halebrown Rorrison Architects, and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.