Kreuzerfeld Gym
Rottenburg

Project description

The city of Rottenburg launched an architectorial competition with a preliminary selection process for the construction of a new gym near the elementary school-campus. PLAN FORWARD GmbH also qualified with its well thought-out design.

The briefing
The integration of the gym into the landscape with the existing sports field facility is of particular importance. In addition to the use of the gym for school sports, the new building is also to be used by sports clubs and occasionally for larger events.

The aim is to construct a high-quality, economical and sustainable building for this location that adequately meets the respective urban planning, functional and economic requirements. 

The PLAN FORWARD concept 
Focus was to embed the gym as a solitary urban building in the surrounding landscape. The gym is accessed via the square in front of it. The loose tree planting and the use of several seating and green elements create a new meeting point.  

The event area on the ground floor is framed by the outbuilding and the continuous roofing. In this way, it is possible to create clear access to the entire area, which connects the outdoor area as well as the gym functions and the centrally located climbing wall, but also the separately usable café with its own sun terrace facing the sports field to the south. 

The café is positioned in such a way that, in addition to its function as a sports café, it can be used for events due to its variable sizes and can also be rented out separately. 

The car parking spaces are located in the northern area, supplemented by e-charging stations and parking spaces for bicycles and e-scooters. At the same time, the functionally necessary access routes will also be designed in such a way that they invite people to linger - and so that the traffic-free forecourt can also be enjoyed. 

The design envisages a partly closed and partly deliberately open structure. With its transparent design, the building mediates between the different user areas. 

The characteristic appearance is structured by the sustainable timber construction. The supporting structure is visible from the outside and takes up the topography. Wood plays a key role as a CO2-neutral and, above all, regionally available building material. Long-term value retention with low maintenance costs is ensured by the appropriate selection of durable, but also energy-saving materials and constructions. 

A geothermal system using surface heating and cooling, taking into account the PV system, enables the building to be largely self-sufficient. An active greening concept and minimal sealing of the surfaces and retention areas also contribute to sustainability.

The highlight of the outdoor facilities is the shaded outdoor sports area for yoga and "gymnastics in the woods", which is sheltered by the hall and faces west towards the forrest.