The complex, designed by asp Architekten, comprises two main buildings: a 4,400 m² sports hall and a 3,000 m² annex. The hall houses eight courts distributed across two levels, allowing for flexible configurations as needed, as well as a grandstand with seating for 500 spectators. The annex contains support facilities such as changing rooms, technical installations, storage, and access areas, efficiently managing the complex's logistics.
Based on its structural requirements, the project skillfully combines a robust, solid concrete structure with a lightweight timber frame. Externally, the hall features a semi-transparent curtain wall facade in light tones, while the annex is clad in larch wood, creating a material contrast that unifies the complex under a clear architectural language.
Monheim eight-court sports hall by asp Architekten. Photograph by Zooey Braun.
Project description by asp Architekten
One of Europe’s first eight-court sports halls has been built in Monheim.
Where space is limited, but there are many (usage) requirements, sophisticated planning is required. By using stacking as a construction principle, the hybrid building has been given an adequate scale and appears very compact despite its volume. The project was developed in collaboration between asp Architekten and Nüssli Group as the general contractor.
In Monheim am Rhein, the former multi-purpose sports hall on the grounds of the school centre on Berliner Ring was to be demolished and replaced by a new eight-court sports hall and additional school buildings. This was the case in Monheim am Rhein, where the former multi-purpose sports hall at the Berliner Ring school campus was demolished and replaced by a new eight-court sports hall along with additional school buildings. The challenge of this project is also what makes it so clever: diverse requirements regarding efficiency and sustainability have led to constructive, sustainable diversity, unified through a clear architectural language.
The new construction consists of two buildings: the actual sports hall, which combines four hall units each on two levels across 4,400 square meters, and an ancillary building of 3,000 square meters housing changing rooms, sanitary and technical spaces, as well as storage and foyer areas. The sports hall and ancillary building differ in their construction solely due to their functionality.
The sports hall was designed to accommodate a total of eight halls. By stacking them on top of each other, it was possible to arrange four halls on each of two levels, which can be combined if necessary. This required a combination of lightweight and solid construction. The lower level was constructed as a solid concrete structure to support the heavy loads of the halls above. The upper level, on the other hand, was constructed in wood as a lightweight structure.In order to maintain an appropriate height for the building, the lower halls, which are suitable for competitions, were dug into the ground.
The adjacent ancillary building with its logistical and technical functions was realized as a timber hybrid construction: apart from the concrete stairwell cores, the building was erected as a timber frame structure of approximately 600 timber elements. The facade was realized using timber panel construction with timber cladding. To further articulate the volume and reference the surrounding residential development, the sports hall features a folded shed roof while the ancillary building features a flat roof.
The various requirements have resulted in a large volume and a variety of designs. To achieve a clear façade design and an appropriate scale in relation to the urban context, the sports hall was divided into a semi-transparent façade. At the same time, this allows the use of the building to be vaguely guessed from the outside. While the sports hall appears in a light-grey curtain wall facade, the ancillary building received a characteristic larch timber facade.
The sports hall is accessed at ground level via the forecourt, which also serves as an outdoor foyer for visitors. While sports clubs and schools use the side entrances leading directly to the changing rooms for the lower halls, event visitors enter through a generous entrance area into the lobby and from there to the grand stand, which provides seating for 500 spectators. Changing rooms for the upper halls are located on the first floor; the second floor houses staff rooms, weight rooms, gymnasiums, and a gallery level with views of the hall featuring a bouldering wall. Not only the halls themselves but also the gallery level can be separated by dividing curtains.
The clear overall architectural concept is reflected in the interior design: each floor has its own colour scheme and materials. Here, too, the use of resource-saving materials was taken into account and care was taken to use as little material as possible.
