SPORTS ARENA

The site revealed its capacity to receive an iconic architecture, transposed in the diamond-shaped outer envelope. The relation between the building’s shape and the surroundings is dynamic, with balance achieved by the architectural form. The shell and the interior are interlocked in a continuous dialog, creating vast spaces that provide an enchanting spectacle for the users.

The major challenge consisted in joining the two components, that is, interior and exterior: tying all internal functions around the pitch and maintaining the purity of the outer shell intact. The interspace that resulted in the opposition of the free exterior design and interior regularity was allotted to areas which serve the public.

The program was segregated vertically, with the ground floor designed for entrances and athletes, while the subsequent levels remain reserved for spectators. The restaurant’s underground location, which includes a terrace, creates a natural transition from the building to its immediate surroundings.

The fragmentation of the outer envelope gives a more appealing human angle to what is usually perceived as a formal large project. Another contemporary note is the choice of copper as material for exterior, a living material which oxidizes over time.

Location

Bucharest, Romania