multi-purpose hall koper

design principles
the new stadium takes on the role of the prima donna in the sports cluster of koper. an artificial topographical shaping of the site creates a platform elevated above the surroundings. it forms a viewing terrace, a bellevue with a view to the sea, the old town, and the istrian mountains, clearly lifted above street level. on the street side, a gentle ramp leads to the entrance. the main visitor flow is guided through this generous access. but the area facing away from the sea is also guided to the entrance plateau via wide ramps. the desired north-south orientation of the stadium defines the entrance square on the west side of the stadium and continues in the pathway layout as well as in the structuring of the surfaces of the artificial landscape. like a shell, the stadium floats above this artificially shaped landscape. with a clear, strong gesture, the function of the arena is demonstrably recognizable from afar.

functionality
the entrance is located 4.5 m above street level. visitors are guided into the entrance hall via a wide and partially covered forecourt. most visitor seats are elevated above entrance level, so visitors already have an overview of the entire arena from the entrance hall. from this entrance level, visitors reach the upper stands and the embedded lower stands. access to the visitor seats is extremely efficient, as routes are organized completely without intersections. through this fundamental organization of fixed seating areas, escape routes from the stands to the outside are also ideally organized without intersections and bottlenecks. strictly separated from the accesses to the general spectator stands, the routes to the vip lounges and stands are guided on the middle level. likewise, press and administration are located on a middle floor. a dedicated driveway leads these individuals into the stadium. the vip and sponsor areas are located with their own terrace on the grand canal. well-lit outdoor chill-out zones are located in front of the press and administration area. athletes are again strictly separated from other visitor flows and guided to the level of the sports areas and locker rooms. thus, athletes are clearly separated, but can still reach the press rooms, vip and sponsor zones via a direct vertical connection via stairs and elevator. via a separate entrance, the trucks of suppliers, event organizers, and athletes are brought into the arena on the lowest level, where they can maneuver in a large area and drive onto the arena level. the flexible stands are parked at the playing field and in surrounding niches and can be extended or positioned freely on the playing field level depending on space configuration.

open space design
an artificial landscape forms the roof of the base area, in which the functional areas are embedded. this slab extends through the stadium as the entrance level, emphasized by the upper stands elevated from entrance level. planting corresponding to the mediterranean environment forms a delicate veil over this clear and hard-surfaced artificial landscape. the riverbank of the grand canal is stabilized as recommended. the view from the “slab” and the vip area is unrestricted, while visitor access, as proposed, is not directly possible due to the arrangement of functions. the path network of the existing tennis courts continues across the artificial landscape of the viewing platform and across piranska street into the park directly on the sea. a new path connection is created: sports fields-bicycle path-viewing platform-park-sea. all entrances to the building are above the flood protection level of +2.34 m above sea level. entrances to lower building levels are guided over a threshold that again lies above this flood level.

roof structure, light, acoustics
above the sports area and part of the stands, a mobile membrane roof is designed that transforms the sports arena into an open stadium during dry weather. etfe air cushions are installed in the mobile roof structure. this makes the roof lightweight, cost-efficient, and with good climatic performance. the semi-transparent coated cushions are given different color designs depending on the occasion: deep red, dark blue, white, or spectral colors, designed to suit the event taking place. the mobile air cushions are equipped on the underside with mobile shading elements that can completely block out daylight. the diffuse, glare-free daylight gives the arena a bright, light-flooded atmosphere and contributes significantly to cost savings in operation. all interior sides of the closed façades, as well as the fixed roof surfaces, are covered with high-quality, sound-absorbing acoustic panels. transparent acoustic sails hang in the operable roof structure. in the arena and the entrance hall there are no parallel walls, which prevents flutter echo.