Less is sometimes more - this also applies to the energy-optimized new construction of the changing room building at the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Stadion district sports facility in Gelsenkirchen. quadrat + architekten implemented the project, which was made possible by the Municipal Investment Promotion Act (KlnvFG), from planning to completion. "The focus of our design was on a durable and robust construction that is reduced to the essential features," explains Alexander Pick, whose Recklinghausen architectural firm was awarded the BDA Architecture Prize Vest Recklinghausen and Gelsenkirchen 2023 for this project.

Built in the area of the former grandstand facility, the exposed concrete wall, which bears the lettering "Jahnstadion" as a defining element on the south side, catches the eye. Beneath the generous, all-round canopy, the horizontally laid, rear-ventilated wooden façade emphasizes the horizontal cubature of the building. The entrances to the cabin wings face the main sports field. The new tiered seating stand is located in front of them. The entrances are located on the front sides. On the west side, there is ground-level access to the grandstand plateau. The building is designed to be completely barrier-free, with ramps in the outdoor areas and seating in the stands, as well as a first row for wheelchairs, a tactile system with high-contrast surfaces and a central barrier-free disabled toilet. Durable and robust is how the exposed concrete used for the façade can be described, as it has to withstand rough handling in some areas. The construction also made it possible to erect a circumferential, column-free cantilever roof. Conventional mineral oil-based insulation was dispensed with in favor of foam glass insulation. This is durable and can be easily recycled later on. The load-bearing exterior walls and the non-load-bearing interior walls are constructed from vertically perforated bricks. Openings in the façade were deliberately avoided; natural lighting is provided by skylights in the green roof. This improves thermal insulation in winter and regulates the building climate in summer. It also contributes to an improved microclimate in the district and ensures water retention during heavy rainfall. Heating is provided by heat pumps, while ventilation is provided by ventilation systems with heat recovery. There are eight changing rooms inside, which are connected by four shower areas. There is also a separate changing room for the referee. Necessary rooms such as technical, storage and function rooms are housed within the building. The floors of the changing rooms have a hard-wearing coating and merge into tiles in the shower area, which are glazed blue on the walls as a reminder of Schalke 04's history.

www.quadratplus.de

Photos:
Detlef Podehl
www.podehl.com

(Published in CUBE Ruhr Area 04|24)