Ice Hockey Rink in Umea by BIG

All images courtesy of BIG

Copenhagen based practice BIG has unveiled the design of 'ice hockey rink in umea', a 4,600 m2 sports facility located on a bowl-shaped plot in northern sweden. accentuating the natural topography of the site, the design extends and continues the shape of the land into its interior space.

Dividing the site into two, the building is nestled into the south side of the bowl with a green roof creating an artificial topography on top of the rink.

A glazed surface connects the interior space with the park outside. during the summer, this barrier can be opened to transform the rink into a stage for a diversity of activities. the main entrance is generated by lifting a corner of the site closest to the street, which also acts as a visual landmark for visitors. 

Design statement from the architect:

What kind of architecture would be able to integrate a spacious program with nature while maintaining its existing qualities?

In its original state, the site is a nice recessed area, whose bowl-shape offers natural shelter for people to hang out and enjoy the nature and the Umedalen Sculpture Park, located on and nearby the recess. The Ice hockey arena and facilities are swept under a green roof, the latter connecting the sculpture park with the entrance of the arena and the existing restaurant. The corner closest to the street is peeled up to allow for entrance and create a signal. The big glass facade can be opened up in the warm season, transforming the ice rink into a stage for a diversity of activities. The interior landscape is considered as an extension of the exterior landscape. While modifying the existing landscape to fit an ice hockey rink, we created an exterior
amphitheatre on one side and an interior one on the opposite side. The landscape is modified to allow for wheelchair, trolley and pram users to access and to get down to the bottom of the recessed area from both outside and inside the building, and to create a variety of spaces for recreational use.