Sporthalle Waltersdorfer Chaussee
Berlin, Germany
Alten Architekten

A modest-sized arena speaks out with a daring composition

© Ortwin Heipe

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This moderately sized arena is situated between a major road and a public footpath in a new urban development on the edge of Berlin. It is from contrasts like these that a design dialogue is developed, shaping the building in a formal and functional way that extends into the structure, materials, and detailing.

The hall can be subdivided into three separate sports fields. The indoor gallery seats 200. In front of and on the ramps around the hall additional spaces provide zones for extra activities. The sports level is sunken, and changing rooms are located under the rough concrete ramps that lead up to the spectator level.
As a building the arena is angular and low-riding, surrounded by landscaped walkways, lawns, and a pavilion. The ground forms a sequence of sports fields, ramps, walls, and levels. A thin aluminium foil is wrapped around some of the field enclosures, creating a controlled environment.

Gallery areas and viewing boxes into the arena are elegant amenities. Rough concrete interacts with precisely finished steel and richly textured wood contrasts with utilitarian rubber floors. A muted pastel palette of colors adds richness to the sharpness of these forms.

Formal name of Project:
Sporthalle Waltersdorfer Chaussee

Location:
Berlin, Germany

Gross square footage:
19,000 sq ft

Total construction cost:
$ 2.25 million

Owner:
Bezirzksamt Neukölln von Berlin

Architect: Alten Architekten Dominicusstr.3 10823 Berlin, Germany Tel. ++49 30 78000650 Fax: ++49 30 78000654 e-mail: info@alten-architekten.de