Ice Rink in St. Pölten

Architects:Sam/Ott-Reinisch, Vienna; Irene Ott-Reinisch; Franz Sam

Assistants:Bernd Leopold, Franz Leuthner, Irina Bussurina, Urs Bette, Judith Schafelner, Sibylle Koch, Sofia Hagen, Karin Sam

Structural engineer:Helmut Zieritz, Wolfgang Engel, St. Pölten

This brand new ice rink is located on a regional sports-centre and college complex in St. Pölten, just outside Vienna. Its upswept lines harmonize well with the surrounding facilities, finishing on the north side with a distinctive flourish. Enclosed within the shiny, smooth aluminium skin is a competition-standard ice rink for skating (general public, schools), ice-hockey and ice dancing, and training facilities. The ancillary functions are accommodated in different-height rows flanking the ice on the east and south sides.

The ancillary functions are accommodated in two different-height rows flanking the ice in an L-shaped formation on the east and south sides. Immediately behind the entrance are the foyer and changing rooms for the general public, a buffet area, shop and the rink supervisor´s room. In the side tracts are changing rooms for the players, rooms for building systems technology and above, the seating and the VIP lounge. The requirements of ice hockey stipulate a clear height of 7 m over the entire extent of the 30×60 m ice surface. This, together with the need to ensure a clear view of the ice from the banked seating, unobstructed by columns, presented a special challenge for the design of the hall roof.

The twelve glued-laminated timber girders all have a differently shaped lens-like opening that varies along its length. These girders are supported on precast reinforced-concrete columns. The walls and roof are constructed from load-bearing timber sandwich elements, whereas the service tracts are of reinforced concrete.

The building services and building frame had to be able to cope with the all-year-round low temperature in the hall, the humidity from the ice, and the proximity of the warm changing areas to the ice. Vapour barriers were fitted to both sides of some components. The window strips and the glass facades are positioned where direct sunlight cannot reach the ice surface, but where they can nevertheless admit natural light to the hall. When the rink is lit at night, the glazed surfaces are an immediately identifiable beacon within the complex.

For more information on DETAIL magazine, please visit DETAIL's Project of the Month page.

This article is an excerpt from DETAIL — Review of Architecture

   

DETAIL is the international magazine dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in architectural design and engineering. Every issue covers a specific construction topic, illustrated contemporary examples and carefully chosen documented material from architects and trade experts — providing architects and engineers with an invaluable source for design and construction ideas.

From 2009 DETAIL is complemented by two additional issues DETAIL Green — the specialist journal on all aspects of sustainable planning and construction.

Member Comments