استاد داريوس وجيرينو: التصميم الرياضي والسياق الحضري

Design of Historic Sports Facilities: Integration and Function

The design of the ancillary facilities for the historic Darius and Gireno Stadium centered on enhancing internal sports functions, while expanding the existing infrastructure to support both competitive and training uses.

Integration with the Urban Context

The design focused on harmony with the surrounding environment, taking into account the historical and cultural dimensions of the site. This was achieved through a study of the surrounding urban fabric to ensure that the new addition does not conflict with the city’s visual and historical identity.

Material Authenticity and Spatial Fluidity

Materials were used in a manner that preserves their authenticity and reflects the historic character of the place, while the interior spaces were designed to enhance flow and ease of movement within the facility, creating a seamless experience for both athletes and visitors.

Enhancing Cultural Significance

The design contributes to strengthening the cultural value of the site, not only as a sports facility but also as part of the city’s architectural heritage, supporting community awareness of the importance of preserving historic sites and adapting them for modern functional use.

Aerial view of the athletic training hall showing the sculptural W-shaped roof integrated with solar panel arrays. — strategic aerial perspective showcasing the southern facade’s solar panels and the sculptural roof design for energy efficiency. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

Exterior view of the sports annex at dusk showing the textured facade integrated among old trees in the urban fabric. — The annex design maintains a modest urban presence, reflecting the historical and cultural dimensions of the site. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

Evening view of the glass-walled administrative wing with visible interior oak wood panels and public plaza. — The administrative wing features high transparency, showcasing the warm oak panels and the internal social spaces. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

Building Composition and Interior Design

The building was conceived as a low and compact structure, with the main hall strategically positioned approximately 1.5 meters below ground level. This arrangement helps reduce the visual mass of the building while maintaining clear sightlines for spectators, giving the facility a modest yet distinctive urban presence.

Enhancing the Spectator Experience

The building’s low profile enhances the audience experience by allowing an unobstructed view of sporting activities, without overpowering the surrounding urban context, thereby maintaining harmony with the environment.

A Comprehensive Sports Environment

The indoor hall includes tracks measuring 200 meters in length and 60 meters in width, along with dedicated areas for jumping, throwing, gym facilities, and physiotherapy rooms. This diversity of functions creates an inclusive environment that meets the varied needs of athletes under a unified spatial envelope, reflecting the design’s focus on balancing functional performance with architectural aesthetics.

Detailed architectural floor plan showing the 200m running track and social facility layout. — Technical floor plan illustrating the strategic arrangement of the track and auxiliary support spaces for integrated flow.

Innovation in Interior Design and Functional Flexibility

The design incorporates a mechanized telescopic grandstand that can be fully retracted or extended, providing high flexibility in the use of spaces according to the size of the event or sporting activity. This solution reflects the building’s adaptability between competitive and training uses, effectively enhancing its multifunctional capabilities.

Openness and Natural Lighting

The internal spatial logic emphasizes openness and clear sightlines, supported by extended glass façades and a glass roof system that allows natural light to enter, contributing to a bright and comfortable sports environment for athletes and visitors alike.

Material and Texture Contrast

The main wall surfaces utilize triple-layer exposed concrete, giving the building a raw and contemporary texture, while warm oak panels are highlighted in selected areas to provide a sense of warmth and material depth. This contrast between materials enhances the sensory experience of the space and imparts a distinctive character to the sports facility. See Material Datasheets for reference.

Interior of the athletic hall featuring a blue track, high-jump areas, and a W-shaped skylight roof. — The main interior hall accommodates a 200-meter track and specialized sports zones under a natural lighting system. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

Athletes standing on an indoor sprint track with exposed concrete walls and industrial lighting. — Specialized training areas are designed with raw materials like exposed concrete to ensure durability and functional clarity. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

Roof Structure and Natural Lighting

The roof was designed as a sculptural architectural element in a “W” shape, equipped with wide glazing that bathes the space in natural light, making it a focal point of the visual experience. The large glass sections help reduce reliance on artificial lighting, supporting passive energy management and enhancing overall energy efficiency.

Environmental Sustainability

Solar panels installed on the southern façade enhance the building’s environmental sustainability by harnessing solar energy to reduce electricity consumption and improve the structure’s overall environmental performance.

Steel Structure and Design Efficiency

The roof relies on a steel structural system using slender and elegant supports and beams, optimizing space efficiency, highlighting structural clarity, and imparting a light visual appearance to the building. This structural approach balances durability, functionality, and aesthetics, with a focus on the visual experience of users and visitors. Related Construction methods were used to ensure quality.

Architectural cross-section showing the hall’s depth below ground level and the sloping roof structure. — A section drawing highlighting the 1.5-meter excavation below ground level to reduce the building’s visual mass.

Exterior Façade Design and Building Integration with the Environment

The exterior of the building features a concrete cladding with a texture resembling oak bark, enhancing visual harmony with the surrounding environment and the adjacent garden. This approach provides a balance between the building’s contemporary character and its natural integration into the context, contributing to the continuity of the urban landscape.

Functional Distribution Within the Building

The lower ground floor accommodates parking facilities, changing rooms, and support areas, facilitating the flow of daily sporting activities. The upper floors house administrative offices, conference areas, and a small café, creating a multifunctional environment that supports both sports and community activities.

Enhancing Integrated Functions

The design combines practical sustainability with social interaction, organizing spaces to support smooth movement between sporting, administrative, and social activities. This reflects a focus on space efficiency and achieving a comprehensive experience for users. For more related Projects, see our archive.

Minimalist interior lobby with concrete walls, a large circular ceiling opening, and an elevator. — The internal spatial logic focuses on openness, supported by a central circular void that enhances vertical connectivity. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

An Integrated Approach to Sports Building Design

This project represents a model of an integrated approach in sports architecture, balancing aesthetic refinement, operational flexibility, and environmental sensitivity. The design reflects an appreciation for the site’s historical significance while presenting a contemporary form that is easily recognizable within the surrounding urban fabric.

Enhancing Infrastructure and Cultural Identity

The project contributes to strengthening the city’s sports infrastructure by providing a sustainable and multifunctional space that supports both sporting and social activities. Additionally, the design enriches the urban fabric and reinforces the city’s cultural identity, linking modern functions with the site’s historical continuity.

Frontal view of the building at night showing the illuminated athletic hall through vertical glass louvers. — Illumination reveals the building’s internal functions, emphasizing the fluidity and accessibility of the sports spaces. (Image © Norbert Tukaj)

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Darius and Gireno Stadium project can be considered a model for the integration of a sports building within its urban and historical context, with several points worth noting when studying its design and application in similar projects. On the positive side, the project provides a comprehensive sports environment that combines competitive and training functions, with attention to natural lighting and the materials used, reflecting an awareness of both practical and aesthetic details.

However, certain considerations may raise questions when applying similar concepts in other contexts. For instance, the low-profile design of the hall and the use of large glass structures may require meticulous maintenance and more complex energy management. Additionally, combining sporting, social, and administrative functions within a single structure may pose challenges for internal circulation and ensuring smooth movement for all users. Furthermore, the emphasis on visual appearance and integration with the historical context may limit flexibility for future expansion or adaptation to evolving sports needs over the long term.

Considering these points, the project serves as a valuable case study for exploring how sports buildings can be integrated with the urban and historical context while addressing potential operational and environmental challenges. It offers an opportunity to consider flexible and sustainable design strategies that balance functional performance with urban sensitivity, without being treated as a perfect model to be applied literally in every situation.