Form follows force
Shortly after Lungau Arena opened its doors, it was singled out as an ambassador for exemplary and sustainable timber construction. This new sports facility goes far beyond economic and functional requirements.
Although timber now plays an integral role as a renewable construction material for educational buildings in Austria, and especially kindergartens and schools, it is still rare among sports facilities. However, when Salzburg municipality St. Michael im Lungau launched a competition for its new sports arena, it explicitly requested that timber should be used in a constructive and cost-effective way. “We therefore chose a combination of concrete base and timber upper structure,” said architect Tom Lechner from LP architektur in an explanation of its timber hybrid design.
LP architektur was responsible for design and planning, while the timber construction was built by Tamsweg-based specialists Ehrenreich Bau.
Stimulating geometric timber design
The new family, sports and leisure centre consists of two separate structures together with the outdoor areas. There is a stand for spectators covered with a wooden roof, complete with changing rooms and adjacent areas for football, tennis and beach volleyball. And on the other hand there is a multi-purpose hall that can be used for stock sport – a game similar to curling – and also for concerts and various ceremonies.
This hall has over 700 m² of floor space and is spanned by glulam beams, while the glass surfaces at the sides let in plenty of natural daylight. Wooden slats on the outside provide protection against the sun and create a hatching effect of light and shade on the hall floor. Together with the wood trusses on the walls, this results in different geometries that lend structural tension to the homogeneous overall timber look.
Wood creates an atmosphere that touches many of us emotionally and endows a clear sense of identity.
Tom Lechner, LP architektur
The vertical sunshade contrasts with horizontal slats on the façade. Together with the asymmetrical gable, this creates an elegant look both inside and outside the building, meaning that the hall can be used for prestigious events as well as for sports and leisure.
Identity in form and content
The stand construction is especially striking owing to its projecting roof and the characteristic form of the supporting glulam beams over the spectator area. Lechner explains: “The curved form of the roof trusses follows the natural flow of static forces. We wanted to use these to create an identity for the project – with a high recognition factor.”
The curved form of the roof trusses follows the natural flow of static forces. We wanted to use these to create an identity for the project – with a high recognition factor.
Tom Lechner, LP architektur
As well as the many advantages offered by building with timber – such as faster construction and a better carbon footprint – the architect highlights the intangible benefits of this renewable material: “Wood creates an atmosphere that touches many of us emotionally and endows a clear sense of identity.”
This factor plays a role in other projects by the architectural firm as well. One example is the primary school in Hallwang, which offers children a positive learning environment with inspiring architecture. Or the planned addition of two timber hybrid apartment buildings to the Salzburg hotel Zum Hirschen. And residential building Herzgsell located in a high valley between Radstadt and Schladming was ranked among the top houses of 2021.
An ambassador for timber
Footpaths and cycle paths leading around the leisure area on the River Mur island have been incorporated to ensure that Lungau Arena can be easily reached on foot or by bicycle. A new range of leisure activities includes exercise and play areas along these paths.
The sports arena has received the “Holzbotschafter” (Timber Ambassador) award from proHolz Salzburg. This forestry and timber association presents its award regularly to public buildings that are prime examples of sustainable timber construction. At the award ceremony, State Guild Master Fritz Egger emphasized: “Timber is rarely used to build sports facilities, which makes the arena in St. Michael all the more impressive.”
Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Photos: Markus Rohrbacher