dressage stadium extension by kadawittfeldarchitektur in germany

on the premises of the CHIO – aachen laurensberg racing association in sportpark soers, the existing equestrian sports has been enhanced with a new grandstand designed by kadawittfeldarchitektur to complement the existing U-shaped dressage stadium and complete the east edge. the extension was initiated by the european championships’ total investment of 8 million euro, while the 12-month long construction process was funded with 3 million from the state of north rhine-westphalia.

all images courtesy of kadawittfeldarchitektur

the project is divided into two elements: the body of the spectator stand and the underlying functional rooms. the former, on the upper level, is accessed by a grand staircase and provides space for 1,200 visitors. located 16 meters above, the 18-meter wide canopy and the glass compositions to each side protect the occupants from weather conditions. their pieces are offset by a post and rail façade system with varying transom positioning, equipped above and below with an open joint for the subsequent installation of a textile screen. the ground floor is occupied by the service programs – sanitary facilities, storage, and mechanical and electrical systems, as well as rooms for temporary use such as the registration office, tournament director’s office, and a meeting room. a glazed boundary separates them from the riding field and protects horses and athletes during competitions from the noise. for privacy, this feature is covered with foil adorned with motifs from equestrian sports.

a broad flight of steps welcomes visitors and guides them gradually to the spectator stand on the upper level

the grandstand is formed as a step-construction of reinforced concrete with a corresponding ring beam, over which is a projecting steel roof. the load-bearing structure comprises of a welded frame clad by trapezoidal metal sheeting, providing bracing and cover. the forces carried on four slender columns in the front area of the lower level and from there, via round columns to the foundation, which consists of bored piles connected by tie beams. 

the services are situated on the ground floor level beneath the grandstand and are lined by equestrian sports motifs

in order to emphasize the architecture from the surrounding context, all surfaces of the seating, the staircase, and the immense top plane are a single white tone. an encompassing powder-coated aluminum compartments with a high-quality anthracite-colors coating and the white-coated steel-paneled balustrading bring together the distinctive edge, the spectator area, and the rear wall.

the spectator terrace and protruding roof focus attention on the action in the dressage arena

the spectator stand provides space for 1200 spectators

ground floor level

first floor level 

cross section 

elevations

site plan

project info:

project: extension of the dressage arena aachen
client: aachen-laurensberger rennverein E.V.
architect: kadawittfeldarchitektur
location: aachen, germany
realization: july 2013–july 2014
construction volume: ea 885m² / gfa 1814m² /volume 11.570m
seating: 1200
total roof area: 1.655 m²
dressage arena: 1.200 m²

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