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New build

56 suns in sports hall

Multi-purpose hall in Klaus

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“We often design both with horizontal and zenithal openings in rooms, as we appreciate the quality lying in the combination of both kinds of light.”

- Peter Nussbaumer, architect at Dietrich l Untertrifaller Architekten

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Architecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten

In the year 2001, Dietrich l Untertrifaller Architekten won a competition for a school building for the municipality of Klaus in Vorarlberg, Austria. A modern, ecological building with classrooms was connected via a library wing to an old sports hall. A sunny, slightly sloped green schoolyard with a view towards the alps is located on the north side of the wings. A walkway under the cantilevered library tract connects the school entrance with the sports hall and allows for outdoor activities on rainy days.

In the second phase of the project, twelve years later, the office was commissioned to refurbish the sport facilities. A brief analysis showed that not only the structure, but also the functions of the old sports hall with swimming pool were outdated, and it was best to replace them with a new building.

Currently the area houses a large playing field and a separate room for dance and a multi-function area, where activities for school children, various kinds of meetings and even lessons can take place.

The architects decided to plan the extension according to the design principles successful in the first project phase. Simple spaces with wooden structures and claddings open up to the sunlight through the roof. All load-bearing concrete walls and stairs are visible.

A rectangular area is accessible from two levels. The entrance under the library wing leads to an open ground floor, while another on the opposite side accesses the upper floor with open space, where a tables invite various activities.

Multi-Purpose Hall in Klaus with VELUX windowsArchitecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten; Photos: Patricia Weisskirchner

Peter Nussbaumer

architect at Dietrich l Untertrifaller Architekten

My favourite place in the building is the multi-function area just at the entrance. At midday, the children are playing under a big skylight, on the right the space opens towards the playground, its floor adorned with sunny spots.

Architecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten; Photo: Adam Mørk

Both buildings, the school and the sports hall, are proof that high-quality architecture can be resource-friendly and economical. Many elements could be prefabricated to minimise cost and usage of material.

The ceiling of the sports hall, playful and irregular at first glance, consists of prefabricated units: “pyramides” with a VELUX flat roof dome window on top. Four types with different tilt angles were produced. The careful placement of the elements created an effect of a playful irregularity. 

Elevation
Architecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller Architekten; Photo: Adam Mørk

Prefabrication of light shafts was a crucial element, both indoors as well as on the roof surface. After the wooden frames had been brought to the site and mounted, it took only a couple of days to insert VELUX flat roof windows and add insulation layers.

Each of the 56 light shafts are cladded on the inside with noise protection panels. These enhance the acoustics of the room beyond the positive impact of the ceiling's geometry. Artificial light, mounted between the elements, underlines the geometry of the structure. The flat roof windows are equipped with rain sensors and sun protection.

Project data

Location: Rørvig, Denmark
Architect: Architect: Elkiær + Ebbeskov Arkitekter APS, Lotte Elkiær and Ane Ebbeskov
Year: 2020
Photos: Stamers Kontor / Laura Stamer
Client: Private

VELUX Products used in this case
Image of integra electric flat roof window with dome cover CVP-ISD
VELUX INTEGRA® electric flat roof base with dome cover
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