Kaltensteinhalle, Vaihingen (DE)
New building
Client: City of Vaihingen an der Enz
Location: D-71665 Vaihingen an der Enz, Alter Postweg
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller
Competition: 2017, 1. prize
Construction: 2019 – 2021
Area: 3,400 m²
Programme: Three-field sports hall with spectator area, three-storey functional area, multi-purpose wing with foyer. Visitor capacity max. 1,260, grandstand seating 560
Photos: David Matthiessen
Team
Vera Bilgeri, Georg Haizmann, Andreas Miorini (Project management), Björn Osmann, Isabella Pfeiffer, Johanna Maria Priebe, Thomas Weyrich, Ferdinand Zeune
Text: Gerlinde Jüttner
Partners
Statics: Knippers Helbig, Stuttgart
Building services, electrics: pbs Ingenieure, Köngen
Building physics: Müller BBM, Planegg
Fire protection: mhd-Brandschutz, Konstanz
Landscape: Setup Landschaftsarchitektur, Leonberg
Construction management: Wenzel+Wenzel, Stuttgart
Awards
- Hugo Häring Award, Award
- Hugo Häring Award, Nomination
- Holzbaupreis Baden-Württemberg, Award
- Holzbaupreis Vorarlberg , Recognition
Between transparency and unity
The new sports hall on Alter Postweg (the old postal route) in Vaihingen an der Enz was built as a compact, functional and very economical hall construction using timber elements. Only the parts in contact with the ground are made of reinforced concrete. The building is divided into a three-court sports hall with spectator area, a three-storey functional area and a multi-purpose wing with foyer.
All functional areas are united under one roof. We utilised the sloping terrain and built a large part of the hall into the slope. This meant that the functions could be spread over several levels, while the hall remained suitably low on the street level.
The flat façade made of perforated and black-brown anodised aluminium meander sheet runs across the entire building and protects the areas behind it from view and sunlight. The interplay with the large window areas creates an exciting contrast between transparency and openness, which also supports the functionality of the building.
The inviting, sheltered entrance
The building blends harmoniously into the existing ensemble of the grammar school and 1-2-3 hall. Its recessed south-west façade defines the main entrance for events and sports use. The cantilevered roof as a clear entrance gesture protects against the weather and provides effective shading to the south. The barrier-free, covered entrance invites people to linger so that visitors can spread out indoors and outdoors during events.
Access via two separate staircases on the front sides enables different, intersection-free uses and easy orientation. A large part of the hall is built into the slope. Due to the sloping terrain, all rooms in the three-storey functional wing are above ground and can be lit and ventilated naturally.
The three-field sports hall
The interior is designed with simple, robust wooden elements, the wooden supporting structure remains visible. 36 skylights provide glare-free daylight. The geometry of the roof racks prevents the athletes from being dazzled by sunlight and at the same time ensures a very good, even supply of natural light.
A telescopic grandstand spanning the full length of the hall creates an arena feeling for spectators.
Construction from timber elements
The design and dimensions of the supporting structure respond to the different requirements and spans. The 30-metre-span, three-court sports hall with cantilevered canopy was built with very slender glulam trusses. The changing rooms and multi-purpose wing with gallery have smaller spans and are constructed using an economical timber element design.
Looking in and out
The transparent design of the ground floor allows views into all areas of use, creating a communicative, open and light-flooded building despite the compact floor plan. Generous glazing creates views from inside to outside and vice versa.
