BEL016-1 – MUNICIPAL SPORTS CENTRE GENK
The municipal sports centre in Genk is a modernist sports complex from 1975 designed by architect Isia Isgour and engineer André Paduart. The program asked to double the existing sports hall in size and add a gymnastics hall. The competition brief proposed to add an extension to existing complex.
We made a counterproposal because we didn’t want to change the view of its exquisite composition: an 80-metre span by a concrete hypar shell roof on a plinth. We returned to Isgour's master plan of 1968, a true sports village with several buildings and outdoor sports infrastructure in the middle of pine forests, which had been forgotten. We proposed a freestanding building that forms an ensemble with the existing volume. In between, a sports forum!
Phase 1: new sports hall
The ideal sports hall, a sports temple!
The new building is no "classic" sports hall but a double one. The organization is extremely functional: 2 parallel game areas and in between them a central hall with cafeteria, changing rooms and storage. The entire space is spanned by an ornate archway consisting of three parabolic arches. Each arch spans the entire width of the hall, with only two intermediate supports at the height of the cafeteria. As far as possible the arches approach the chain line to ensure minimal bending moments in the scale. The vaults are built as a steel structure clad in white perforated acoustic panels. Techniques are integrated. Uniformly distributed natural daylight is provided by many small domes. Direct sunlight, which could cause glare is avoided. The whole is covered with a thick mineral wool blanket. And in that way the active sports hall is also a ecologically one!
Phase 2: renovation of the classified sports complex.
Renovation of the plinth. Transformation of the old sports hall into a gymnasium, dance hall, dojo and changing rooms. Renewal of techniques and outer shell. With respect for the modernist architecture!
Architect
BEL ARCHITECTEN
Team
BEL ARCHITECTEN, NEY & PARTNERS, SB HEEDFELD, BUREAU BOUWTECHNIEK, DAIDALOS-PEUTZ
Client
CITY OF GENK
Program
DOUBLE SPORTSHALL WITH STANDS FOR 1250 PERSONS
M²
6900
Budget
11.342.011 €
Location
GENK
Year
2010 - 2019
Status
BUILT
Photos
LUCA BEEL, TIM VAN DE VELDE, BEL ARCHITECTEN