‘ice hockey rink in umea’ by bjarke ingels group all images courtesy bjarke ingels group

copenhagen-based practice BIG has designed ‘ice hockey rink in umea’, a 4,600 m2 sports facility located on a bowl-shaped plot in northern sweden. accentuating the natural topography of the site, the design extends and continues the shape of the land into its interior space.

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea view from the amphitheater

dividing the site into two, the building is nestled into the south side of the bowl with a green roof creating an artificial topography on top of the rink. a glazed surface connects the interior space with the park outside. during the summer, this barrier can be opened to transform the rink into a stage for a diversity of activities. the main entrance is generated by lifting a corner of the site closest to the street, which also acts as a visual landmark for visitors. 

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea street view of the entrance

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea during the winter

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea ice rink

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea schematic diagrams (top left) the south-facing slope is preserved by dividing the site in half (top right) an artificial topography is created as a green roof; a glazed surface acts as the ‘eye’ towards the outside (bottom left) a corner of the site is lifted to create an entryway (bottom right) the surrounding ground is made into a sculpture park

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea (left) the ice rink is placed to extend the bowl-shape of the site (right) the landscape is modified to host a number of specific functions including a cafe, seating, bonfire, and slide

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea the result is an open landscape where the inside and the outside meet seamlessly

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea aerial view of physical model

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea green roof sculpture park

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea outside amphitheatre

BIG architects: ice hockey rink in umea (left) green roof (right) ice rink project info: type: commission client: balticgruppen fastigheter AB collaborators: RKT, energi & kylanalys AB, transolar size: 4,600 m2

partner in charge: bjarke ingels, david zahle project leader: gabrielle nadeau team: hans willehader, xing xiong, nanna gyldholm møller, lucas torres aguero, ewlina moszczynska