CEBRA constructs logstor sports hall out of lightweight materials

CEBRA constructs løgstør sports hall out of lightweight materials
photo © mikkel frost

CEBRA has completed the ‘løgstør sports hall,’ a public building in denmark based on the office’s ‘meccano concept’ for unheated, low-cost, and lightweight athletic facilities. the scheme uses construction principles and standardized off-the-shelf components commonly used throughout industrial buildings and warehouses. these simple elements can be refined and combined in surprising ways – just like the frank hornby’s ‘meccano’ model system – in order to create architecturally appealing, accessible, and easily adaptable sports structures, which are cheap to build and maintain. the concept has been developed in collaboration with lokale og anlægsfonden (the danish foundation for culture and sports facilities).

the project is the first visible step towards a new sports, leisure and health centre
photo © mikkel frost

the complex is located close to a local school in the southern part of town and is the first visible step towards the realization of the sports, culture and health development. the program is wrapped in a thin skin of corrugated steel plates, which is pulled, cut, and folded according to the different functions, interior organization, and aesthetic preferences – much like an origami paper figure. the formable outer shell contributes to the building’s light and partly translucent expression that exposes the supporting components. this design makes it possible to modify and optimize the ‘meccano concept’ for virtually any location.

the design is based on a ‘meccano concept’ for unheated, low-cost and lightweight sports facilities
photo © mikkel frost

although it is an unheated building, the hall can accommodate many of the same activities, which are commonly practiced in traditional heated facilities, such as football, handball, basketball, tennis and others. the roof spans over two types of courts: an asphalt court and an artificial turf pitch. the asphalt court is accessible around the clock for multiple events while the fully-roofed and enclosed artificial turf pitch is covered with a dense and firm artificial grass that allows for the exercise of a wide range of sports. it is equipped with boards and benches, which can be removed so sliding gates can open the for bigger occasions or ventilation during the summer. in between the two areas, multifunctional, wooden furniture contains storage, lockers, and benches, making it possible to close the building during nighttime.

construction consists of standardized off-the-shelf components to reduce construction and maintenance costs
photo © mikkel frost

an outer skin of corrugated steel plates is cut and pulled to form a distinctive projecting roof over the entrance
photo © mikkel frost

interior view of the artificial turf pitch
photo © mikkel frost 

elevation with a view of the outdoor asphalt court
photo © mikkel frost

western façade and entrance
photo © mikkel frost

facade detail with transparent surfaces backlit
photo © mikkel frost

southeast corner
photo © mikkel frost

the projecting roof over the entrance at the southwest corner
photo © mikkel frost

exploded perspective diagram

project info:

location: løgstør, denmark
client: løgstør sports club
project size: 1.400 m² new building
year: 2012 – 2014
cost: EUR 800.000
architect: cebra architecture
engineer: tri-consult
contractor: henriksen & madsen

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