The new sports hall at the Alter Postweg in Vaihingen an der Enz (Baden-Württemberg) is designed as a compact, functional and very economical timber element construction. Only the parts in contact with the ground are made of reinforced concrete. It is divided into a three-field sports hall with spectator area, a three-storey functional area and a multi-purpose wing with foyer. All functions are united under one roof.
Urban context
The building blends harmoniously into the existing ensemble of Friedrich-Abel-Gymnasium and 1-2-3 hall. The recessed south-west façade defines the main access for event and sports use. The cantilevered roof as a clear entrance gesture protects against the weather and provides effective shading to the south. The barrier-free, roofed entrance invites visitors to linger, allowing them to spread outside and inside during events. Another entrance and exit for athletes at the back leads directly to the surrounding sports fields and the associated car park.
Organisation
The building height is kept moderate with a slender hall support structure. The design uses the topography of the site to arrange the functions over several levels. A large part of the hall is built into the slope. Due to the sloping terrain, all rooms in the three-storey functional wing are above ground and can be naturally lit and ventilated. In addition, 36 skylights provide the sports hall with glare-free daylight. The open design of the ground floor allows views into all usage areas, creating a communicative, open and light-flooded building despite the compact floor plan. Generous glazing stages visual relationships from the inside to the outside and vice versa.
The access through two separate staircases at the front sides allows for different crossing-free uses and easy orientation. A telescopic grandstand running the full length of the hall creates an arena feeling for the spectators.
Façade
The elegant appearance of the building is also continued in the materialisation: the wooden supporting structure remains visible, the interior of the hall is designed with simple and robust timber elements. The flat façade made of perforated and black-brown anodised aluminium meander sheeting covers the entire building and protects the areas in the back from view and sunlight. The interplay with the large windows creates an exciting contrast between transparency and enclosure, which also supports the functionality of the building.
Construction
In its construction and dimensions, the supporting structure responds to the different requirements and spans. The three-field sports hall with a span of 30.5 m and a cantilevered canopy roof of 3.6 m was built with very slender glulam trusses spaced one metre apart. Skylights distributed throughout the construction provide the hall with optimal daylight. The light gable roof creates the required roof pitch.
The geometry of the roof beams prevents the athletes from being blinded by sunlight and at the same time ensures a very good, even supply of daylight.
The locker room area and the multi-purpose wing with gallery show smaller spans and are constructed with economical timber elements.
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