Buildings for Movement
International architectures for sports
ExhibitionExhibition opening: July 14th 2021, 7pm
Exhibition period: July 15th to October 10th 2021
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10-6pm
Speaking at the opening
Beate Engelhorn, director HDA
Thomas Rajakovics, Head of Sports Department, City of Graz
Erika Thümmel, Lecturer FH JOANNEUM, Exhibition Design
We kindly ask you to register via online form (also possible on site)
A proof that you have been vaccinated, tested or have recovered will be required.
2021 is the year of sports – and not only in Graz, as the Summer Olympic Games have also been scheduled for this year. To mark this occasion, the HDA is showing selected buildings that offer a specific space for movement, catering to the most diverse forms of sporting activity.
Nowadays sporting activity has become an important part of everyday life. Whether physical exercise in a fitness studio, or jogging in the neighborhood, today sport is associated with lifestyle, fun and health awareness. It is well-known that exercise has a positive physical and psychological impact on our well-being, the WHO recommends half an hour of training a day. The cultural and social significance of sporting events and competitions was also recognized as far back as ancient Greece. Sport connects people, promotes tolerance and respect for individuals and the community, and supports social inclusion.
Over time, the architecture for the various sports has changed and is no longer represented by the typology of the high school, with the spatial presence of increasingly sophisticated sports buildings becoming ever more diverse. Whether skateboarding, bouldering, swimming, skiing in the city, dancing or archery, every sport is expressed in an individual building shape suitable for the specific activity. The environment in which the buildings are constructed plays an important role. Due to the limited building land in cities, condensed concepts are often required here. Sports areas expand the public space and become an important meeting point for the neighbourhood. Existing buildings or roof areas are converted in unconventional ways, while sports facilities are to be integrated into existing green spaces as carefully and sensitively as possible.
The spectrum of examples from all over Europe shown in the exhibition presents different planning as well as constructive approaches and also addresses historical and social questions about sport and exercise in everyday urban and rural life.
All the selected buildings succeed in making a substantial and aesthetic contribution that extends beyond the urban or natural environment. A "healthy mind lives in a healthy body" is a well-known quotation by Decimus Iunius Iuvenal from the 2nd century A.D. This applies in particular to the "building", the quality and architectural presence of which has an impact on the psyche and physical structure of the environment and the users. Its functionality both presents and promotes the enjoyment of participating in the respective sport to the outside world.
The exhibition invites all athletes and sports enthusiasts on a journey of discovery through these unconventional sports facilities.
Following projects | buildings will be shown in the exhibition:
Diving Tower, Millstatt am See (AT)
Walter Benedikt & Rudolf Christof, 1930; Revitalisierung / Revitalization: Hohengasser Wirnsberger Architekten 2019
Forest Green Rovers Eco Park Stadium, Stroud (GB)
Zaha Hadid Architects 2021
Sports Hall Canton School, Wettingen (CH)
:mlzd Architekten 2018
Olympic Shooting Venue, London (GB)
magma architecture 2012
Tennis Court Simonne Mathieu, Paris (F)
Marc Mimram Architecture & Associés 2018
Henri Wallon Swimming Hall, Bagneux (F)
Dominique Coulon & Associés 2014
Ciutadella Park Sports Center, Barcelona (ES)
Batlle i Roig Arquitectura 2005
Tossols Basil Athletics Stadium, Olot (ES)
RCR Arquitectes 2000
Cultural and Sports Center, Paris (F)
BRUTHER Architects 2004
Street sports and cultural centre „StreetMekka”, Viborg (DK)
EFFEKT 2018
Skisport facility „CopenHill”, Kopenhagen (DK)
BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group 2019
Climbing Hall, Brunico (IT)
Stifter + Bachmann 2019
Sports Hall, Haiming (D)
Almannai Fischer in Zusammenarbeit mit Harald Fuchshuber 2016
Dance School, Reggiolo (IT)
Mario Cucinella Architects 2018
EVENT PROGRAM
Exhibition tours
Guided tours through the exhibition are offered regularly on weekends and upon request
Weekend Challenges: Every weekend there will be small competitions on site in the exhibition. More information will follow soon
Family Day
Saturday, September 11th, 11pm to 8 pm, More information will follow soon
Lecture evening: Wednesday, July 28th, 7 pm, magma architecture, Berlin
Exhibition curated by: HDA - House of Architecture, Graz
Exhibition design: Carina Schepella & Teresa Hausharter / FH Joanneum Graz / Department Media & Design as master thesis
Exhibition in the context of the Sport Year - with the kind support of the Sportamt / City of Graz.
Sports loans kindly supported by Kastner & Öhler and HLW Schrödinger Graz