Architects: BOD Architekti
Location: Modřice, Czech Republic
Area: 2375 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Tomáš Slavík, Jiří Alexander Bednář
Embracing Urban Harmony and Historical Significance
Urban Context:
Nestled in Modřice, a vibrant part of Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, the Sports Hall by BOD Architekti stands as a testament to architectural finesse within a small-town scale. Modřice’s urban fabric is characterized by predominantly single or two-story structures, with three-story buildings being exceptions. Despite the sports hall’s three-story height (ranging from 9 to 11 meters), it gracefully aligns with the local architectural principles. Positioned between the primary school and the railway line, the building serves dual purposes: a sports facility and a noise barrier for the school.
Integrating Old and New: A Historical Narrative
Site Memory and Adaptive Restoration:
Recognizing the historical value of the site, BOD Architekti envisioned the sports hall as a tranquil structure, respecting the memory of the former building. Serving as a noise buffer for the school while allowing ample daylight, the hall’s placement along the railway line also adheres to functional considerations. The architects further pay homage to the site’s history by restoring the old building and repurposing it as a community-centric restaurant.
Community-Centric Vision:
Beyond its primary function as a sports hall, the design aspires to position the structure as a local community center. Reflecting the significance of the place, the architecture emphasizes solidity and importance, presenting the hall as a grounded and serene structure. Divided into three volumes corresponding to its functions, the great hall accommodates three volleyball/netball courts.
Architectural Ingenuity: Spatial Harmony and Structural Aesthetics
Spatial Configuration:
Maintaining spatial harmony with the surroundings, the sports hall’s lower floor level (3 meters below the entrance foyer) ensures a cohesive height profile with the old building’s cornice. This intentional design choice also aids in thermal balance and contributes to the overall architectural aesthetics. The concrete structure, left exposed, not only adds character to the interiors but also facilitates orientation within the building.
Striking Interior Elements:
Integral to the interior ambiance are the rooftop skylights, strategically positioned to provide soft indirect lighting for the great sports hall, the mirror hall, the sports hall gallery, and the connecting corridor. The exposed concrete structure, visible throughout the interior, offers intriguing through-views, contributing to both aesthetics and functionality.
Architectural Elements:
The roof structure of the great hall, crafted from steel and adorned with acoustic panels, showcases a marriage of functionality and design. Wooden flooring and acoustic wall coverings enhance the sensory experience within the hall. The exterior facade, characterized by horizontally profiled plaster, introduces detail and a human scale, reminiscent of historical bossage elements.
Harmony of Past and Present: A Lasting Architectural Legacy
Renewed Façade and Heritage Reflection:
The new building’s facade, with plaster echoing horizontal lines, not only pays homage to the former bossage on the old building but also adds a contemporary touch. Simultaneously, the restoration of the old building’s facade to its early 20th-century state, as captured in a vintage photograph, reaffirms the commitment to preserving architectural heritage.
In Modřice, the Sports Hall by BOD Architekti emerges not just as a functional sports facility but as a narrative of architectural excellence, historical reverence, and community integration. The meticulous balance between past and present, coupled with thoughtful spatial design, positions the structure as a cornerstone in the urban landscape, fostering community well-being and architectural legacy.
