Saturday, October 10th marked the long-awaited day for the hockey community of Vålerenga since the city council decided to build a new ice rink in 2016; the new Jordal Amfi officially opened.
Due to the epidemic, only a select group of 200 people were able to attend the inauguration of the new ice cathedral, as Vålerenga faced Grüner in the arena. The atmosphere was particularly festive as Vålerenga won the match 4-1. Among the guests were three of the architects from Hille Melbye’s Jordal team, Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Abid Raja, and hockey legend Mats Zuccarello Aasen.
A tribute to the old Jordal Amfi
During the design phase, the architects worked extensively to carry forward the architectural elements that made the old Jordal Amfi unique, including preserving the asymmetrical stands, the undulating roof canopy surrounding the building volume, and the close and humble relationship the building has with the surrounding terrain. All of these elements are intended to allow visitors to recognize the building and to continue the unique experience the amphitheater has always been known for.
“The arena is located in natural surroundings where many people pass daily, and we wanted to open up between the outdoors and indoors to create some exciting situations and meeting places around the building. Many sports arenas are like a big box, where you have no idea what’s happening inside when you’re outside. In the new Jordal Amfi, you can see the daily activity in the hall directly from the street on the north side of the arena. As elite matches approach, a shading system will be lowered over the windows, like a reversed stage curtain,” explains Robin Rakke, one of the architects behind the new Jordal Amfi.
The building’s placement in the terrain and the recognizable elements such as the canopy, the hall space, and the stands ensure that the building preserves the legacy of the old Jordal Amfi, which was ready for the Olympics in 1952.
A massive facility almost camouflaged in its surroundings
The building’s placement in the terrain and the recognizable elements such as the canopy, the hall space, and the stands ensure that the building preserves the legacy of the old Jordal Amfi, which was ready for the Olympics in 1952.
A massive facility almost camouflaged in its surroundings
The distinctive roof or “canopy” of the arena undulates in harmony with the terrain’s slope, helping to scale down the large building volume while casting minimal shadow on the surrounding park area. In the southwest, the “canopy” makes a sudden leap to reflect the arch over the old stage house that stood in the same location.
“Most arenas and stadiums worldwide are situated on flat ground with plenty of space around them. Jordal Amfi, on the other hand, is nestled well below ground level. This starting point means that the arena, with all its functions, is put together in a rather unique way,” explains Rakke.
Groundbreaking climate measures
Jordal Amfi was one of the country’s first fossil-free construction sites and has set a new standard for energy conservation and innovative use of environmental technology. The new hall is designed as a passive house, with the goal of reducing energy consumption to about one-third of the consumption in the old Jordal Amfi.
“We are proud to have been involved in a project that is so energy-efficient with several groundbreaking solutions in an arena context. For us, this has meant high requirements for all building elements; in fact, we have designed over 50 wall types with various combinations of climate, fire, construction, acoustics, and general usage requirements. This also speaks to the complexity of all transitions between floors, walls, ceilings, and a undulating roof,” concludes Rakke.
See more pictures on our project page about Jordal Amfi here.