ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Speedskating Stadium Inzell, Germany, designed by Projektarbeitsgemeinschaft Behnisch Architekten Pohl ArchitektenNovember 16th, 2011 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Projektarbeitsgemeinschaft Behnisch Architekten Pohl Architekten
Projektarbeitsgemeinschaft Behnisch Architekten Pohl Architekten wins World’s Best Sport Building at World Architecture Festival Awards 2011
Speedskating Stadium Inzell, Germany, designed by Projektarbeitsgemeinschaft Behnisch Architekten Pohl Architekten, has won the ‘World’s Best Sports Building’ award at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2011. The presentation of the WAF Awards are taking place during the largest global celebration of architecture – the World Architecture Festival, which is being held at the Centre Convencions International Barcelona (CCIB) this week.
Designed to host the World Single Distant Speed Skating Championships 2011, the Speedskating Stadium in Inzell upgraded the existing outdoor speed-skating track through the construction of a high-performance intelligent roof structure. This improved arena can accommodate up to 7,000 spectators and offers maximum flexibility for large scale world class competitions as well as regular seasonal speed-skating training. The building was selected by a panel of esteemed architects and designers, beating off competition from a shortlist of 10 entries.
Speaking at the WAF Awards 2011 Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director, said: “The World Architecture Festival is the world’s largest, live, truly inclusive and interactive global architectural awards programme. Attracting entries from internationally renowned practices to small local architects, the stellar quality of this year’s designs demonstrates their commitment to designing the world’s most exciting buildings. This year we’ve attracted more entries than ever before, with over 700 submissions from 66 different countries. Our congratulations go to the winners for a truly accomplished project.” This is the 4th year the World Architecture Festival Awards have been presented, and by the end of the awards 38 WAF Awards will have been announced across the three main sections of Completed Buildings, Structural Design and Future Projects. The Festival culminates with the announcement of the prestigious ‘World Building of the Year 2011’ award. Previous winners include ‘World Building of the Year 2008’ – Luigi Bocconi University, Milan, designed by Irish practice Grafton Architects; ‘World Building of the Year 2009’ – Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in South Africa, designed by Peter Rich Architects of Johannesburg, and ‘World Building of the Year 2010’ – MAXXI (National Museum of the 21st Century Arts) in Rome, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
The WAF Awards see unsung local buildings take on internationally acclaimed projects in what is the world’s biggest architecture contest. Unlike other architectural competitions, architects present their work in front of leading industry judges and a live public audience as they compete for the accolade of ‘World Building of the Year’.
Project in Detail The Bavarian town of Inzell hosted the World Single Distant Speed Skating Championships 2011. To create the world-class competition conditions required for this event, the existing outdoor speed-skating track was upgraded through the construction of a high-performance intelligent roof structure. This improved arena can accommodate up to 7,000 spectators and offers maximum flexibility for large scale world class competitions as well as regular seasonal speed-skating training. The 200 meter long and 90 meter wide arena was planned as an independent wide-span structure, free of interior columns. The athletes and spectators can enjoy panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps through the continuous glass facade which stands as a transparent band between the cloud-like roof and the concrete grandstands that flow into the landscape. At the same time, passers-by can look into the stadium interior and catch a glimpse of daily activities. The roof itself embodies a precisely designed interior climate concept that ensures optimalized energetic, economic, and sustainable operation of the ice track on a daily basis. On the underside the roof is fitted with a “Low-E” membrane stretched between the lower cords of the ten-meter high timber and steel trusses. The function of this engineered fabric is to reflect the ice’s own cold thermal radiation back onto the speed track, thus maintaining the low temperature of the ice surface. Simultaneously, this membrane maximises quantity of diffuse daylight that streams into the stadium through the roofs seventeen large north-facing skylights. A number of existing support buildings were also upgraded in order to integrate them into the arena’s overall concept of optimum energetic performance. They accommodate offices for the stadium director and the training staff, as well as workshops and spaces for the ice maintenance equipment. The major technical plants and extensive changing rooms are discretely located below the entrance concourse at the level of the ice field. Category: Sports Complex |