University Sports Centre

The former sports centre no longer met current needs. The building, dating from 1970, was too outdated to renovate in a way that would meet today’s sustainability requirements. In addition, the growing number of students had made it too small. The combination of sports activities and examinations in particular required a larger, efficiently designed building with good acoustics and appropriate facilities.

The sports programme has been expanded in the new building with significantly more square metres. At the same time, the building also functions as an examination centre. The sports centre is centrally located, occupying a prominent position on the Campus Square near the current rugby field. This new location creates a strong connection between the campus and the outdoor sports fields.

Open character

The new centre includes a large fitness area, two sports halls with tribunes for a wide range of indoor sports, a spinning studio, a dance studio, a body and mind studio, and a café. All of this is housed in a building with an open character and a lot of glass, based on the idea that seeing movement encourages movement. The large windows also provide abundant daylight and pleasant views over the sports fields from the fitness equipment or the dance floor.

To prevent disturbance from cheering spectators or bouncing basketballs, sports classes and examinations will generally take place at separate times. The design also pays close attention to sound insulation, with acoustic materials and sufficiently thick walls and floors.

Sustainable

In addition to excellent acoustics, the building places strong emphasis on health and sustainability, with ample fresh air, daylight and healthy materials without harmful emissions. The building is connected to the campus’ thermal energy storage system for sustainable heating and cooling and features a roof covered with solar panels.

Another distinctive feature is the building’s gently sloping “roof landscape” of grass. In several places, the green roof folds down from the first floor to connect with ground level. The idea behind this is that the essence of the Bio Science Campus, the science of life, is not in conflict with the built environment but rather strengthens and complements it.

The new location is also expected to attract other users of the park to come and exercise.