General organisation

If some projects undoubtedly do raise doubts, for this one, because of the constraints imposed by the ground and its orientation, any potential doubt very quickly vanished. On a daily basis, visitors can enter the building via a central access, located between the two mains venues: there are two opposite lanes, leading to two halls, each of them at a different level. Since the room for gymnastics is on one side, and the room for table tennis on the other, the centre of the building is the place where all others activities take place, except for the storage of equipment and the technical rooms. This central section, « that federates all activities » , is divided, at its lower level, in many rooms: changing rooms for both gymnastics and table tennis, a club-house for the table tennis players, several rooms for technical preparation, a sick bay, which is located near the exit and at the same level than the sports rooms.

One can access this central section by the lower hall, and then find his / her way to the upper level via the stairs or the lift. Access to this upper level is restricted to the users only. There is also a middle level, where one can find the lavatories, a club-house for the gymnasts , and the teachers’ office. Access to the stands is also made at this median level.

Finally, we thought that a more majestic access should be created for people coming from the still to-be constructed square (We highly recommend the development of such a square). Of course, this Main Gate is added to the other entrances that are created in the centre of the building.

Inside each room, our endeavour was to maximise the use of natural ligh and minimise the use of electrical light. The other priority was to establish a quality relationship between actors and spectators. We thought that proximity would be most effective, and that is why each sports room has two opposite stands, linked by a footbridge, where few spectators may stand. Live sport is a show, and each sportsman should feel surrounded by spectators.

Contractor : Municipality of Alençon