The proposal for the Luxodrome, designed by Charles Wagner, is a concept started after analyzing the recent topography of a velodrome, which is most of the time just a circle built by two lines and two half circles. With tracks still looking like a hundred years ago, even though cycling as a sport has developed rapidly over the years, this project aims to demonstrate the look of a future velodrome. This is why the track itself has to change to be up to date for all the different race formats. More images and architect’s description after the break.
Starting from the traditional form of a velodrome, I searched for the new form so I decided to modify it by making all the sides the same length more like a square with curved edges. However, this was not a good start. The next try was to make the track look like the number eight which was not the perfect solution either. Finally, I decided to combine both ideas to make a new track. So now there are two tracks (one is 200m and the other one 250m), which are lying next to each other and can be also combined to form one big track.
After I found the form of the new track I used the new shape of it to define the building. This shape is used for the ground of the building but also for the auditorium so it has been offset not only on a 2 dimensional plan but also implicated in 3 dimensions.
The outside view of the building is very simple and elegant which becomes visible in the facade of the design. It is a steel net, which is a good material to hide all the technical installations for ventilation but also the windows of the auditorium, yet it brings enough sunlight into the building. The velodrome can be used not only for cycling competitions but also for other events like concerts, plays and so on.
Architect: Charles Wagner Location: Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg Project Year: 2012 Renders: Philipp Ohnesorge
