Sotra Arena
The new sports hall is located next to an existing sports field on the outskirts of Straume, a small town near Bergen.
The brief was to create two sports halls that could accommodate a variety of events and scenarios. The main hall has seating for 3000 spectators and can be used for international handball and basketball tournaments. The building also contains weight training facilities, communal rooms and offices for the local sports clubs.
The building has clearly differentiated façades with the elevation towards the existing sports field being more open and expressive. Those towards the road and surrounding industrial area are essentially closed.
The arrangement of room functions exploits the small height differences of the site. All public areas including access to the halls are located on the main entrance level (plan 2), The arena floors, together with the changing rooms, ancillary training facilities and technical rooms are on level with the outdoor sports field (plan 1). The VIP and office areas are located on the upper level (plan 3).
The materials are generally robust and maintenance-free. Exposed, untreated concrete and oiled wood are used extensively in the interior. The main entrance and façade towards the sports pitch have painted wooden cladding. The rest of the exterior is zinc cladding and steel sandwich panels.
