Violenstraat, Groningen, is a fine-grained city street which is now the site of a relatively self-enclosed complex with two sports halls. The potential conflicts between the zoning plan and the functional specification dictated a multistory solution.
Alignment of the block of two sports halls proved to have several advantages. It resulted in the block having a relatively modest impact on the street scene, and made it possible to build the volume detached from the adjacent properties thereby making a less massive impression. Two small squares with a tree – on both sides of the building – strengthen the urban embedding of the complex. An arched gate gives access to the rear area where the bicycle shed is located. Schoolchildren can assemble in these spaces before entering the gyms. The sports block thus adapts without contrivances to the fine-woven urban fabric.
Indirect daylight sports halls
A sports hall is in principle an opaque box. Direct daylight is usually regarded as a disadvantage in a sports hall, owing to its potential for dazzling the users and facilitating visual intrusion. On the other hand, operating without daylight is unhealthy because it contradicts the natural biorhythm. The block has therefore been designed with an undulating brickwork facade which admits indirect daylight to each of the sports halls.
Undulating facade
The substantial, relatively opaque volume of the sports block was prone to come across as something of an exception to the existing street architecture. It was therefore obviously desirable not to depart too far from the general surroundings as regards the building materials used: an undulating skin of red ‘Groninger’ brick. When the sports halls are used in the evening, the facade glows on using the indirect light lines. A spacious, double height and transparent staircase with a large atrium connects the different spaces and offers a lively image of the coming and going athletes. The facade terminates at ground level in a long bench, which adds a new dimension to the intimate, public-friendly environment of the city street.
The rear elevation consists of a patchwork of aluminium panels in several tints that match colours already occurring on the inner site. This adds character to the blocky volume of the sports complex while also articulating it, so harmonizing with the fragmented image of the inner zone.
architect: Marlies Rohmer
team: Fabian van den Bosch, Ronald Hageman, Thomas van Nus, Begoña Masia Albelda, Cor Martis
client: Dienst OCSW, Gemeente Groningen
constructor: BREED integrated design, Amsterdam
climate advisor: Nieman Raadgevende ingenieurs B.V., Utrecht
installation advisor: E&B engineering, Lekkerkerk
design: 2010
completion: 2014
area / building cost:
BVO: 1160 m²
€€ 1.440.600,- incl. installaties en terreininrichting, excl. BTW
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