The project revisits the idea of the sports container as a great impact object in consequence of its previously defined proportions and dimensions, breaking down the volume in two through a horizontal cut that separates two halves with opposite materiality.
The shift between the two parts articulates the composition and the spaces of relationship with the surrounding with the introduction of a porch in the entrance area of the public and a terrace connected to the emergency exit of the tribune. This simple act in a project with such elementary volumes helps to defines the entrance by the shift of the metal beams as symbolically protected space and creates a covered transition space where you can find the external path that connect to the bar located on the first floor.
The new Olgiate sports hall is located in a peripheral fringe of the city, very close to the A8 highway artery connecting Milan and Varese, a large existing public parking lot completes the infrastructure system.
The main idea of the Project derives from the attempt to reduce the impact of the sports hall in relation to the suburban residential context of its surroundings.
In addition to this, the fact that the facility stands on a lot previously occupied by a sports facility (soccer field) makes available a very large green area that will allow, in the future, to complete the indoor facility with areas from outdoor sports.
The two levels, into which the building is split, represent the relationship with the earth and with the sky: a heavy and opaque basement constructed in prefabricated concrete that roots the building on the ground and protects the sport space and a translucent volume realized in polycarbonate and glass that enters diffused light and establishes the relationship with the sky, also thanks to its high camouflage value to reflect the different colors of the sky and transform chromatically depending on the hours of the day. The opposition between the essence of these two volumes generate the tension of simple geometries that gives intensity to the intervention. The structure houses a basketball court, that allows, with the use of a retractable grandstand, the presence of about 350 spectators seated. The main changing rooms and support facilities are located to the south part of the structure, in the single floor volume under the terrace and are equipped with two independent entrances from the dedicated car park. The changing rooms are organized into four separate blocks. On the opposite side you can find a two floors volume that contains on the ground floor additional changing rooms and support spaces for athletes and on the first floor a small gym and a bar, in addition to public spaces. The entrances are managed with autonomy of flows for athletes, the public and the users of the bar that have an independent entrance with an outside space at the relevant overhang on the entrance.
"a little gem. Not the classic sport hall, but also something refined and architecturally beautiful" - public works councilor
Giulia de Appolonia founded "GDA-officina di architettura" in 2014 after twenty years of professional experience alone and in partnership, in Italy and abroad. The idea that architecture in its highest manifestations is the formalization of a virtuous and synergistic synthesis of inputs from the most varied disciplines is lead to manage her activity with interdisciplinary groups of specialists set up for each project, in order to give a highly specialized but flexible response.
Giulia de Appolonia was born in Pordenone in ‘69. She graduated in architecture with honors in ‘94. She lived and work in Portugal from 1991 to 2004. She had many recognitions including: Special Mention Arches Award, ‘08; Finalist for Gold Medal of Italian Architecture, ‘09; nomination of Mies Van Der Rohe Prize, ‘11; finalist ARCVISION-‘15 award; Barbara Cappochin Award, ‘17; honorable mention Dedalo Minosse Award, ‘19; 2nd place Anna Taddei Award ‘22; Special Mention-Architects meet in Selinunte ‘22.