Shooting pavillion, London 2012

The three pavilions designed by Martin Ostenmann and Lena Kleinheinz (magma architecture), accommodate the events in 10, 25 and 50 m Sport Shooting at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the southeast London district of Woolwich. The pavillions are intended as temporary that after the conclusion of the Games, will be rebuilt in another area. It is planned to rebuild them in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Shooting is a sport in which the results and progress of the competition are hardly visible to the eye of the spectator. The design of the shooting venue was driven by the desire to evoke an experience of flow and precision inherent in the shooting sport through the dynamically curving space. All three ranges were configured in a crisp, white double curved membrane façade studded with vibrantly colored openings. As well as animating the façade these dots operate as tensioning nodes. The openings also act as ventilation intake and doorways at ground level. The fresh and light appearance of the buildings enhances the festive and celebrative character of the Olympic event.

The shooting venue is not situated in the Olympic Park, but has its own location in Woolwich on the grounds of the historic Royal Artillery Barracks. It is estimated that more than 104.000 spectators will watch the competitions. The three buildings comprise 3.800 seats divided between two partially enclosed ranges for the 25 and 10/50 m qualifying rounds and a fully enclosed finals range. Together they form a campus on the green field.

Guided by the high requirements from the client, the Olympic Delivery Authority, sustainability was a key factor in shaping the design. All materials will be reused or recycled. All three of the venues are fully mobile, every joint has been designed so it can be reassembled; and no composite materials or adhesives were used. The double-curvature geometry is a result of the optimal use of the membrane material.

CREDITS

Architect: Magma Architecture, PartG. Martin Ostermann and Lena Kleinheinz.

Architectural Design Team: Martin Ostermann with Lena Kleinheinz. Hendrik Bohle, Susanne Welcker, Pablo Carballal, Niko Mahler, Philipp Mecke, Diana Drogan, Veljko Markovicz, Manuel Welsky. Collaborators: Olympic Delivery Authority: Mott MacDonald. Structural / Services: Mott MacDonald. Fire: Mott MacDonald. Masterplan/Ballistics: Entec. Acoustics: RPS. Lighting: Mott MacDonald. Signage / Access: DLA.

Construction. Main Contractor Construction: John Sisk & Son. Temporary Construction: ES Global. Fabric Structure: Base Structures Ltd. CDM Coordinator: Entec. Seating Blocks and Overlay: LOCOG.

Total Footprint Shooting Ranges: 14.305 m2
Total Seating Capacity Shooting Ranges: 3.800
Seating Capacity Open Air Shotgun Range: 2.600
Area of Membrane Façade: 18.000 m²
Longest Façade without Joints: 107 m

Project Client: Lead Consultant.
Project Data. Completion: January 2012. Test Event: April 2012. Olympics: July/August 2012. Paralympics: September 2012.
Estimated No of Visitors: 104.000