The Hedelfingen Sports and Assembly Hall is in urgent need of refurbishment and no longer meets current standards. Renovating or expanding the existing hall is considered economically unfeasible. With the construction of a new sports and assembly hall, including a local library, a new sports and cultural centre will be created for the Hedelfingen and Wangen districts. Demolishing the existing hall presents a unique opportunity to open up the area behind the residential buildings along Hedelfinger Street and better integrate it with its surroundings. In the heterogeneous environment, located between the industrial area to the north, the Otto-Hirsch-Center to the east and residential buildings to the west, the new building, along with the redesign of the “Green Centre”, will emerge as a striking urban element, engaging in a close dialogue with the Hedelfingen Citizen’s House.
The new sports and cultural centre is designed as an open and inviting building that is clearly laid out, functional and economically efficient. The building mass is minimised. The event spaces, along with the library located above, face the “Green Centre” toward the Citizen’s House, forming the entrance to the building. The reading balcony placed in front emphasises this gesture. The entrance to the central foyer is located directly along the pedestrian axis. The foyer, as the heart of the building and shared meeting space, provides quick access to all the different areas. The orientation of the playing field along the length of the site allows for direct access to the changing rooms for pupils and athletes via a side entrance on Hedelfinger Street. The grandstand on the first floor directly adjoins the void of the double-height foyer. The distribution of uses over just a few levels results in a barrier-free and easy-to-use building.
Sustainability and climate protection are at the forefront of the design for the new sports and cultural centre. This entails an economic, ecological and sustainable construction approach, aiming to be carbon-neutral if possible. Consequently, only materials that are recyclable and reusable in a circular economy are used, such as wood as the main structural and interior finishing material, recycled concrete and natural, durable materials like stoneware tiles, ceramics and glass. The interior is characterised by pre-fabricated ceiling elements and acoustically effective wooden wall coverings, which create a muted and relaxed atmosphere.
