Mecanoo and Luxembourg-based architectural office Metaform have won an international competition for the new Velodrome and a Sports Complex in Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg.

Named Mondorf-les-Bains Velodrome and Sports Complex, the new building will be situated in the rolling countryside of Luxembourg on the edge of Mondorf-les-Bains. The 24,500-square-metre building is designed to reinforce the community, known for its thermal baths, as a destination for recreation. 

The program of the building will include the new national velodrome with an aquatic center, multisport hall and climbing wall, creating a sporting destination capable of hosting national and international cycling events while simultaneously creating a sporting hub for the community and future international school, proposed adjacent to the site. 

"The prescribed re-naturalization of the sloping agricultural site combined with the restrictions of both the site and a limited budget informed the compact design approach," said Mecanoo. 

"The pools and sports hall are sunken into the topography and absorbed by sloping green roofs which blend the building into the landscape." 

"This gives the desired prominence to the velodrome as a recognizable landmark in the landscape, visible from the neighboring highway, while the manipulations of topography and landscape rationalize the complex program in a clever and economical way," continued the architects.

The layout of the building connects the facilities through a grand foyer while maintaining a clear circulation for both athletes (professional, recreational and students) and spectators. The velodrome and sports halls are accessed through changing rooms located on the ground floor. 

By offering a large open staircase, connecting the public foyer on the first floor with the entrance, is set to create a clear public axis to the aquatic center and spectator areas of the velodrome and multisport. The brasseries create convivial informal meeting and waiting spaces, with outdoor terraces and views onto all of the facilities and the surrounding landscape.  

"The Velodrome appears as a floating volume with a transparent band separating the solid volume of the roof from the landscape. The simple form puts the elegant engineered timber structure on display. Wood and concrete finishes create a neutral, durable yet warm backdrop to the complex," added the studio. 

Throughout the facility, the studio strategically placed skylights and glazed facades optimize natural daylight while framing views to the landscape. Green roofs, passive solar design, and photovoltaic panels on the roof of the velodrome contribute to the compact building’s sustainable approach. 

Project facts

Size: 24,500m2

Status: Competition

Project Design: 2018

Address: Mondorf-les-bains, Luxembourg

Client: Municipality of Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg Ministry of Sports 

Design Team: Mecanoo and Metaform Architects 

Programme: Velodrome, aquatic center with indoor and outdoor facilities, 2 cafes, multi-sports hall, climbing wall, offices for the Luxembourgish Cycling Federation (FSCL), outdoor parking.

Awards: 1stplace international design competition.

Technical Data

Overall usable area: 22,000 m2

Vélodrome area: 9000 m2

Multi-Sports Hall: 2200 m2

Aqua Center area: 3200 m2

Overall budget: 65 mil €

The consultants and subcontractors: Pohl Architekten, Latz + Partner, Werner Sobek, Transsolar

All images © Mecanoo

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