Integrating all sports under the same roof, the architecture studio B-architecten has designed the multifunctional sports center located in the municipality of Heusden-Zolder, located in the northeast of Belgium.

The 15,884-square-meter sports center has been built on the former Heusden-Zolder racing circuit, and the cycling track it houses is the second built in Flanders approved by the UCI. The first, Flemish Cycling Center Eddy MerckxEddy in Ghent, was also developed by B-architecten.

Heusden-Zolder Velodrome designed by B-architecten organizes an extensive program consisting of a gym, exercise room, medical center for the municipality's racecourse, a cafeteria, meeting rooms, offices, changing rooms, storage spaces, and parking. In addition to a 250-meter covered cycling track that surrounds the sports courts located in the center and 1,000 fixed seats and 1,000 mobile seats around it.

The project aims to efficiently integrate all sports in the same space and connect the teams of different sports and with the spectators, with an architectural language that is reminiscent of the dynamics of cycling with a pure, elegant, and natural aesthetic. In the sports center, both world competitions and international team training can take place, as well as training for young athletes in various sports.


Wielerdroom Heusden-Zolder by B-architecten. Photograph by Tom Van Acker.

Project description by B-architecten

Design, construction and maintenance of a multifunctional sports complex, integrating all sports under one roof.

The new sports complex was built on the former race track in Heusden-Zolder. It contains a 250-metre indoor cycling track with central sports fields with 1,000 fixed and 1,000 mobile seats. The building houses a gymnasium, an exercise lab, a medical center for the Zolder racecourse, and a spacious cafeteria with a terrace, meeting rooms, and offices. Furthermore, there are practical facilities such as changing rooms, storage, and parking. The indoor cycling track is the second UCI-approved cycling track built in Flanders. The first track, the Flemish Cycling Centre Eddy Merckx in Ghent, was also designed by B-architecten.

The sports infrastructure is of the highest level: the biggest international competitions can take place, international teams can train and, at the same time, young athletes can be coached in all the various sports. The design unites all sports under one roof, ensuring an efficient and integrated functioning. It also encourages social contact between the different sports groups and spectators. The thoughtful walkways ensure smooth and logical movement throughout the building. The architectural language is inspired by the dynamics of track cycling with a pure, elegant, and natural look.

More information

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Architects
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Project team
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Katrien Houben, Karin Hupperts, Viktoria Toth, Anton Witdouck.
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Collaborators
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dbv architecten.
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Client
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VZW sportcomplex Vlaanderen & Heusden-Zolder.
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Area
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15,884 sqm.
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Dates
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Opening.- 27 October 2023.
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Location
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Heusden-Zolder, Limburg, Belgium.
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Photography
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B-architecten, B-bis, B-city, B-juxta. Back in 1997, Evert Crols, Dirk Engelen and Sven Grooten set up an independent office for architecture: B-architecten was born. The three had met during their education in Antwerp and Amsterdam. At the internationally oriented Berlage Institute, it became clear that Evert, Dirk and Sven shared a common design interest. Today, the office is located in Antwerp and Brussels.

Ten years after the foundation of B-architecten, they started a new initiative together with Sebastiaan Leroy: B-bis architecten became an office that focuses on small architectural projects, residential interior design, offices and shops, scenographies for exhibitions and performing arts, temporary installations and furniture design.

In 2020, B-city was launched as a third B-platform with the aim to shape and supervise complex urban projects. The core of its ambition is to work on large-scale projects that carry the potential of becoming new city districts.

Today, B is the sum of four studio divisions called B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta have naturally grown into an office of more than 60 people. Each B-team has its particular focus and way of functioning, yet they all share a distinct innovative view on the variety of projects the B-platforms stand for.
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