BIG Unveils A Green-Roofed Ice Hockey Rink That Is Downright Cool

Taking cues from the natural landscape of a bowl-shaped site, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/BIG">BIG</a> carves out a nice spot for an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/underground">underground</a> ice rink. Naturally lit from the south, the rink enjoys bright daylighting on the interior and the adjacent amphitheater park becomes a protected area to enjoy the out of doors. The green-roofed Ice Hockey Rink in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/swedens-umea-university-architecture-academy-punctuated-with-pixelated-windows/">Umeå in northern Sweden</a> is all about combining recreational programs that maintain the existing natural qualities of the site.

The existing site is a naturally recessed bowl and BIG takes the concept and extends it further by sinking the ice rink into the bowl and covering it with a green roof.

A corner of the rink is peeled up to a small peak to act as a landmark and entrance facing the street.

Facing the south, a huge east-west window naturally lights the interior of the rink and lets people on the outside see the ice hockey action inside and vice versa.

Open to the public, the ice rink and surrounding park become a year round recreational facility.

In the summer the recessed bowl becomes an amphitheater for concerts and plays, and the windows of the rink open up to create a stage.

Ramps allow wheelchair and stroller access down to the bottom of the bowl and inside the rink.

The design of the ice rink and park was inspired by the natural topography.

Various programs are designed to flow into one another through the landscape.

The result is a site and building that seamlessly flow between the inside and the outside.

The green roof becomes an extension of the adjacent Umedalen Sculpture Park.

The 4,600 sq meter ice rink includes a variety of different user spaces including a cafe, outdoor seating, a bonfire area and winter sliding zone.

This park exalts the natural bowl-shape of the original site.

Terraced landscaping creates a natural amphitheater.