Green-Roofed Belfort Sports Center is a Shining New Urban Catalyst in France

Posted By Tafline Laylin On November 21, 2012 @ 7:51 am In Architecture,carousel showcase,Daylighting,gallery,green roof,Urban design | No Comments

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Architecture has a way of transforming a place, which was one of the main goals for the new Belfort sports center in France. Located in a former defensive fort area, the 1,163 square meter facility was designed by Archi5 ^[6] as an "urban catalyst" in a transitional zone of the city. And it has something of an eco-ethos too given its large green roof ^[7] and dynamic, light-permitting translucent facade.

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The sprawling sports center is partially tucked into a hillside and topped with a massive green roof ^[7] that allows it to blend into the surrounding park – a mainstay for outdoor recreation. This landscaped space also controls rainwater runoff and insulates the building, which combined with the translucent facade that permits daylight to penetrate the interior ^[8] slashes the facility’s (no doubt hefty) energy load.

In addition to providing a landmark destination for sporting activities, the Belfort center provides a link to the Vosges Mountains and Belfort Castle. At night it remains lit up when events are underway, creating something of a “beacon” or “lighthouse” for the urban community ^[9].

+ Archi5 ^[6]

Via Arch Daily ^[10]

Photos © Fabien Terreaux and Amoor Maadi

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-belfort-sports-center-is-a-shining-new-urban-catalyst-in-france/

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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-belfort-sports-center-is-a-shining-new-urban-catalyst-in-france/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-belfort-sports-center-is-a-shining-new-urban-catalyst-in-france/belfort-sports-center-archi5-2/?extend=1

[6] Archi5: http://archi5.fr

[7] large green roof: http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/

[8] permits daylight to penetrate the interior: http://inhabitat.com/daylighting/

[9] “lighthouse” for the urban community: http://inhabitat.com/green-lighthouse-denmarks-first-carbon-neutral-building-completed/

[10] Arch Daily: http://www.archdaily.com/295810/shining-lighthouse-in-belfort-archi5/

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