Dounan Sports Centre
Taiwan’s first timber-framed sports facility
The Dounan Sports Centre is being built in the heart of Taiwan – a large-scale leisure facility for the local community. An indoor and an outdoor pool, a spa area, as well as badminton courts, fitness areas and retail spaces are being created. All of these are directly accessible from the street, which is intended to encourage social interaction and revitalise the neighbourhood.
The Dounan Sports Centre stands out from similar projects through the use of a solid timber structure instead of the usual steel: this choice was made because it allows for significantly higher corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the timber construction offers long-term structural safety across large spans. Compared to concrete or steel structures, wood also lends the interior a warm, cosy atmosphere and good acoustics – important factors for public wellness and sports facilities.
A place for sport, recreation and sustainable architecture
The Dounan Sports Centre is intended to serve as an oasis of well-being for the local population. Extensive green spaces with sunbathing lawns and shaded areas provide the backdrop for a wide range of leisure activities: a 50-metre outdoor pool and several badminton courts are complemented by a 25-metre indoor pool, a spacious spa area, various fitness zones and retail spaces. Rubner Ober-Grafendorf is supporting the project by producing 95 laminated arched beams for the roof structure – for this, more than 230 m³ ofspruce glulam from sustainably managed forests is being processed at the factory. Construction began in April 2025.
Precise manufacturing and logistical excellence
The production of a total of 95 block-glued arches for the roof structure has been successfully completed at our facility in Ober-Grafendorf. We are now shipping 233 m³ of visible-grade spruce glulam, along with 252 aluminum connectors, to Taiwan as part of a heavy haulage shipment. The delivery comprises beams up to 24 metres in length, making it the largest timber shipment to Taiwan to date. The components will be assembled on site by the contractor.
The design team deliberately chose timber over steel for the supporting structure. Whilst steel is susceptible to corrosion in chlorinated, damp environments and requires extensive protection, timber proves to be particularly resilient in the same conditions.
Wood as a structural choice for durability and climate targets
On-site, the roof structure was completed with the installation of the final of a total of 95 laminated timber arches. 252 aluminium connectors ensure high load-bearing capacity and long-term stability.
Utilizing timber for the roof structure significantly reduces the reliance on high-emission materials like steel and concrete. As a result, the construction of the Dounan Sports Centre aligns with Taiwan’s national goals for decarbonizing the construction sector. Additionally, it promotes a circular economy, supports responsible forest management, and helps lower CO₂ emissions.
