The project is developed consciously with the environment and uses a low number of materials, such as concrete in the main structure or local fir wood in the façade cladding, which modulates the interior spaces from the outside. Aluminum is also used in the carpentry of the large-format windows that guarantee transparency, the variety of views and the entry of natural light, in addition to a white plaster inside the building that seeks harmony with the other materials and that contrasts with the green of the tiles in the wet areas, which seek to differentiate themselves.
Alamannenhalle, Multi-purpose hall by Drei Architekten. Photograph by Zooey Braun.
Project description by Drei Architekten
The town of Lauchheim needed a replacement building for the aging Alamannenhalle from the 1960s at the same location. After demolition, the new multi-purpose hall, in conjunction with the surrounding residential development in the Roten Feld, forms the beginning of the settlement on the edge of the town of Lauchheim. Between the pedestrian bridge over the Jagst and the residential area development, there is a forecourt, where the main entrance to the Alamannenhalle has been visibly placed. The forecourt serves as a connecting element between the different directions of arrival.
Pedestrians and cyclists can reach the square via a footpath from both the direction of the town center and the residential area. Car and bicycle parking spaces are also located on the forecourt, separated by a small green buffer. From the parking spaces, you can reach the main entrance at ground level. The new building compensates for the large difference in height between the street and the Jagstaue and, thanks to its location close to the street, creates space for a spacious festival and play area along the renaturalized river bank. Along the festival area, seating steps form the natural end towards the hall and provide access to the sports center in the southeast corner of the site.
Designed for school and club sports as well as for events, the hall meets all the functional requirements of a 3-part two-court hall. The two-storey foyer welcomes both guests and athletes. An elevator provides barrier-free access to the upper level. The foyer stairs lead to the changing rooms on the upper floor and the spectator stands for 200 people, which are parallel to the hall. The route from the changing rooms to the sports hall leads through a bright and spacious stairwell into the three parts of the hall.
Alamannenhalle, Multi-purpose hall by Drei Architekten. Photograph by Zooey Braun.
Instructor, control and first aid rooms are on the ground floor with a direct view of the hall. There is a separate entrance on the upper floor for outdoor athletes. This is used as an athlete entrance during training for the adjacent sports field. The foyer offers space for standing receptions and allows direct access to the hall, which can be seated for events with up to 500 seats. The central element of the hall is the easy-to-open 80 sqm two-part folding stage. During sports operations, the stage is barely noticeable and is integrated into the impact wall; during events it is folded out by motor.
The conscious reduction to a few durable materials is implemented in accordance with the task. On the facade, vertically pre-greyed wooden slat profiles made of local spruce, which structure the large facade areas with targeted horizontal joints. In the base area, fiber cement is used as a durable building material in a dark color. Large-format anthracite-colored aluminum windows ensure maximum transparency and allow a variety of views out and in. In combination with suspended vertical wooden slats, the result is a varied, well-coordinated appearance.
The interior is dominated by the natural colors of exposed concrete in smooth and board formwork as a robust, durable surface in combination with light-colored spruce wood panels. The consistently black linoleum floor is continued outside with dark concrete paving and connects the interior with the exterior. The reduced choice of colors is suitable for both sports and event use.
The colored lines of the hall floor alone accentuate the otherwise restrained materiality of the hall. White plastered interior walls complement the canon of materials. The changing areas with green wall tiles deliberately stand out from the other areas. The roof area as a "fifth" facade is extensively greened. For event operations, the city of Lauchheim has a modified warm-up kitchen with separate food and drink serving. Direct delivery to the hall is possible. During sports operations, the kitchen can be used as an independent unit separate from the rest of the hall.
