LIKE the salt crystals it represents, the new Memorial Court’s geometric outer skin is growing day by day and the Guardian has been given an exclusive look inside to discover more.

From the road, other than a few figures on aerial platforms dwarfed by the building’s turquoise bulk, the 80-plus workers within are all but invisible.

But the interior is taking shape and resembling the artist impressions, there is even vivid coloured paint on some walls.

Huge steel air ducts are being fashioned into the air system in the theatre and a sprung floor is due to be installed in the dance studio behind the topsy-turvy windows overlooking Chesterway.

In the ‘wet side’, more than 19,000 ceramic tiles are being glued to the two swimming pools and the movable floor in the learner pool will be in place in the New Year.

On the outside the 7,500 aqua panels, known as Rainscreen, are being meticulously positioned and cut and, along with the lightweight brick cladding, exterior work is nearing completion.

Futuristic louvers adorn the southern elevation, named Brise Soleil (sun breakers) these shield the large windows from the glare of the summer sun while allowing low winter sun into the building.

Memorial Court’s green credentials are all around with insulation everywhere but, the most striking eco feature is hidden on the roof where 200 photovoltaic panels will harness the power of the sun and contribute 50.00kWP to the buildings energy needs.

The finished building, a £13.7 million project led by Cheshire West and Chester Council and built by Wates Construction, will include a stage, dressing rooms, bars, six-lane 25-metre swimming pool, learner pool, gym, dance studio, function rooms and a cafe overlooking the River Dane.

Construction will be complete towards the end of April and Memorial Court will open to the public shortly afterwards.