Lentpark / Schulitz Architekten

Curated by ArchDaily

Text description provided by the architects. The entirely transparent building complex accommodates an ice rink, an indoor swim center with a variety of pools, a sauna and a restaurant. An elevated ice skating track, unprecedented in Europe, runs as a round circuit through every part of the building providing exciting views inside and outside. An intelligent cross-linking of the building services allows for the seemingly contradictory climatic requirements of an ice and swimming facility to operate in an extremely energy efficient manner, making it the first ice sports facility in the European Union’s Green Building Program. SCHULITZ Architekten won the highly profiled international architecture competition in 2007.

The principal design concept of the stadium is a completely transparent triangular from which unites the different parts of the building in both a functional and aesthetic fashion. On the northwest side lies the 1,800 square meter ice rink. On the southeast side the lap pool and recreational pools can be found. The entrance hall is centrally located and functions to divide the buildings main elements: water and ice. Directly connected to the central entrance hall lies the cafeteria and the changing rooms. All areas combine a gross floor area of 12000 square meters. The park-like landscaped outdoor area offers a natural water pool as well as a relaxation area.

Exciting views from the elevated ice skating track

A primary attraction is the 260 meter long elevated ice skating track that lies above the ice hockey rink and is visually connected to the swimming area. A highly insulated glass facade serves to divide the ice track and the swimming area climatically. The bright yellow lattice-like roof structure allows for the elevated ice track to remain free of columns and also permits direct views of the urban landscape, the surrounding park, the ice hockey rink and the swimming area. At the same time the ice track skaters can be observed from the ice hockey rink and the swimming pools. All perspectives are possible in this seamless transparent structure.

While the facade enables maximum transparency, external panels serve to keep the building cool during summer months as well as prevent any unwanted glare from entering the sport facility. The reflective steel panels have different angles in response to the respective positions of the sun on the east, south and west side of the building. Viewed from outside the stadium possesses a particularly dynamic appearance as light dances on its surfaces. From the inside visitors benefit from the natural light as well as the rich play between light and shade.

Intelligent solutions for high energy efficiency – Green Building

SCHULITZ Architekten incorporates innovative solutions for the energy and water supply in the facility. Contradictory needs of hot and cold elements are united by cross-linking the building services and thereby minimizing operational costs. Thus the waste heat from the ice rink’s cooling devices is used for heating the swimming pools and the sauna. The heat recovery of the ventilation has an efficiency of over 85 per cent. An on-site well provides water for the swimming pools, the sanitary facilities and the ice preparation. The roof is equipped with a vast solar power system. Economical aspects were taken into consideration while planning the roof structure; the modular building method aligned with prefabrication kept building costs low.

The European Union accepted the “Lentpark” to it’s Green Building program as the first ice sports facility in Europe due to the building’s energy efficiency and innovative technologies. SCHULITZ ARCHITEKTEN “The job fascinated us from the start“ says Marc Schulitz, director of SCHULITZ Architekten. “This symbiosis of an ice stadium and a swimming facility didn’t exist before, which is what made the project so challenging.“

IOC/IAKS Award for Exemplary Sports and Leisure Facilities 2013

In October 2013 the "Lentpark" received the bronze IOC/IAKS Award in the Category D (Complex indoor centers for sports, leisure and recreation with small or no spectator facilities). The IOC/IAKS Award is the only international architecture competition for sports and leisure facilities. 95 teams of operators and designers from 30 countries took part in the competition. The Award is organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) and brings to public attention exemplary buildings and complexes that integrate sensible sustainability and legacy considerations, strong functional planning, and exceptional architectural design. The goal of enhancing the human experience and appreciation of sport and leisure while protecting the environment through design, material use and creativity is fundamental to the awards program.

The Schulitz architecture firm, with offices in Brunswick, Germany and Sao Paulo, Brazil specializes in the design of sports facilities. Currently a new office in Los Angeles, USA is being established. The firm designed the AWD Arena / FIFA World Cup Arena 2006 in Hanover, the EisArena / DEL Ice Hockey Arena in Wolfsburg and the extension of the Eintrachtstadion / 2nd Bundesliga football stadium in Brunswick, among other projects. The office was also commissioned to design the FIFA World Cup 2014 Stadium Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, which was inaugurated in April 2013.