Type:
Public arena for concerts and ice sports.
Year:
2019
Status:
Competition proposal in collaboration with Arkitema.
Location:
Fredrikstad Mechanical workshop
Contact persons:
Robin Rakke, Fredrikke Thuestad
Client:
Fredrikstad Municipality
Area:
13.000 m²
Collaborating partners:
Arkitema
In collaboration with Arkitema, we were prequalified to submit a competition proposal for Arena Fredrikstad, Fredrik II VGS, and a handball sports hall. Hille Melbye architects were responsible for Arena Fredrikstad and its associated training hall. The competition proposal was named ‘Samspill’ (Interaction).
Arena Fredrikstad was designed to accommodate a wide range of functions, primarily for ice hockey but also for figure skating, concerts, exhibitions, and education. The arena was intended to meet the requirements of a national elite arena while also addressing the needs of grassroots sports.
The layout featured a well-designed ground floor where the locker room facilities could be used for both ice surfaces. The entrance for the audience was located in one corner of the arena facing the square. Large staircase amphitheaters lifted the audience up to the second floor, which contained all necessary facilities for the spectators. The second floor also had a dedicated area at the interface between the main arena and the training hall, which was open during weekdays for grassroots sports and parents. The third floor was primarily designed for VIP spectators and included a larger kitchen for catering purposes.
The sloped area inside the building was designed with transparent facades facing the square and the surroundings. Functions requiring daylight were placed towards the outer edge of the facade. In the other two floors, which often need to be darker areas, we designed a layer of louvers rhythmically wrapping around the entire arena. This layer also served as sun shading and provided the option to adjust the shading between the louvers.
All three buildings on the site were to face a common square, thus creating interaction between them. The square was intended to be a vibrant space with room for various types of activities during larger and smaller events.
From the main street south of the site, it was important to maintain visual contact with the river flowing through the city. Therefore, the building volumes were placed and designed in such a way that sightlines and walkways were preserved.
