as one Consistent entity, the Sports Centre pulls together a
large number of elements from different briefs, i.e. an already-
existing gymnasium, swimming pool and indoor tennis courts with
the creation of a multi-purpose arena, a boxing hall, a bodybuilding
hall, two dojos, a football pitch with stands, outdoor tennis courts
and a clubhouse.
The new building fits in as a unique wing to the west of the existing
L-shaped buildings, unifying the whole in a U configuration. This
creates an inner courtyard, a genuine place to breathe between
buildings and a generator of light that unifies all access points.
invasive creepers grow up the trellises to the first floor without
causing harm to the building in front of which they stand.
A hanging timber centre
The wooden centre stands on the green base, two constituent floors
of the building (reception, offices and sports rooms) totally clad
in timber. The facades are livened up by large timber spines that
give rhythm to the cladding’s shadows and extra thickness. They
are generously glassed on the two best orientations favourable for
practicing sport, i.e. the north and northeast, allowing athletes to
enjoy a bright, open atmosphere that gives onto the park.
The project is comprised of the three following strong elements:
• An entrance hall serving as the connecting point between
the sports facilities; this entrance hall is highlighted by a broad
horizontal line in continuity with the new building so as the
have all the buildings revolve
around each other and
unify the two halls leading
to
the
sports
facilities
• A green base like a
vegetal hedge that breaks
up
and
lightens
the
building as a continuation
of
Bettencourt
Park
• A two-floor hanging timber
building that contains the
sports halls and stands on the
green base like lanterns.
An open, bright reception area
With its generously glassed-in facade and roof, the central entrance
hall lets in natural light to the core of the Sports Centre. Being
walk-through, it offers an uninterrupted view of the football pitch,
the new building is located in the extension to the park that occupies
the north portion of the plot
A green base extension of the
park
The new building is located in
the extension to the park that
occupies the north portion of
the plot. Like an extension of this park, the ground floor is composed
of an anti-graffiti glazed concrete facade doubled by a hedge of
climbing plants, 50 cm thick at a height that corresponds to that
of the entrance hall. This green base divides the building in two
and lightens it. Composed of plants requiring little maintenance,
it isn’t a plant wall but a hedge growing from the ground. The non-