Raiffeisen Sports Park
Acoustic Considerations Well Thought Out
Location:
Graz
Client:
Sportunion Graz (AT)
General Contractor:
ARGE Hüttenbrennergasse Bull Bau-Granit, Graz (AT)
Architects:
projektCC zt, Graz (AT)
Roof Elements:
7,000 m², element sizes of up to 4.4 x 21 m.
Acoustic Elements:
1.900 m2
Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber):
650 m³ of spruce, glulam beams up to 47.85 m in length.
With the opening of the sports park in the heart of Graz, a significant step has been taken to secure the sporting future of the Styrian capital. The sports park meets the standards of international federations and offers a total of 3,718.5 m² of sports facilities for major events such as Final Four tournaments, qualifying matches for European and World Championships, as well as international matches and other events.
The centerpiece is a modern multi-sport hall, considered one of the most advanced in Austria, surrounded by numerous other sports facilities. The large event arena, with an area of 2,728 m² and capacity for 3,000 spectators, can be quickly and cost-effectively transformed into four separate training halls using flexible grandstand elements.
The complex, awarded in the category of “Structural Timber Construction” at the 2019 Styrian Timber Construction Award for the “Sportpark Graz” project, also includes a divisible hall of 440 m², a room of 250 m², an athletic area of 226 m², and a seminar room that can also be used as a press center. The surrounding grandstand consists of ten segments, with 650 to 700 fixed seats and eight retractable rows. Two camera balconies, a ceiling camera above the central area, and another in the gallery ensure optimal TV broadcasting capabilities.
The ceiling is supported by 28 glulam beams, spanning between 2.55 m and 3.25 m in height and 47.6 m in width, harmoniously fitting with the surrounding concrete structure. These beams were prefabricated under workshop-like conditions at the Rubner Holzbau facility in Ober-Grafendorf. The cross beams are equipped with acoustic elements, clad on both sides with Hera design panels. This area also houses the smoke extraction system, which functions as a fire detector. The arena floor is also made of wood; depending on the sport, an additional surface is applied: parquet for volleyball and basketball, and a plastic surface for handball.
The hybrid construction of wood and concrete is clad with a metal facade, which, along with the floor-to-ceiling glazing on the ground floor, shapes the architectural appearance. A surrounding canopy connects the open areas of the forecourt, the sports facilities, and the park with the barrier-free interior of the building.
Rubner not only handled the factory prefabrication but also the entire planning of the engineered timber construction, as well as transportation and assembly, even under partly winter conditions.
