Joyful poro­sity

A sports center like a promise: In Thion­ville, the “SPOT” merges past and present to create a spec­ta­cular stage for move­ment, encoun­ters and major events – with floa­ting archi­tec­ture, flowing spaces and a clim­bing wall as a land­mark.

With the “SPOT – Site Poly­va­lent Omni­sport de Thion­ville” project, an outdated ensemble from the 1960s – consis­ting of a theater and muni­cipal sports hall – was funda­men­tally revi­ta­lized in north-eastern France. The design by Domi­nique Coulon & asso­ciés trans­forms the faci­lity into a contem­po­rary sports and cultural center that is suitable for both inter­na­tional compe­ti­tions and a wide range of events without losing touch with the histo­rical subs­tance.

The leit­motif of the project is the respectful treat­ment of the exis­ting buil­ding. The charac­te­ristic natural stone wall has been preserved as an element that creates iden­tity and mediates between the times. The original entrance portal has also been preserved and conti­nues to act as a land­mark in the urban space. The new façade design picks up on the archi­tec­tural language of the neigh­boring theater: Vertical openings alter­nate with closed surfaces and create the impres­sion of a grown, coherent ensemble.

A striking element of SPOT is the shim­me­ring reddish multi-purpose hall that canti­le­vers over the stone base. Its appro­xi­m­ately 46-metre-long glass façade lends the buil­ding a surpri­sing light­ness and makes it appear almost floa­ting.

The inte­gra­tion into the urban space is achieved through targeted openings and visual rela­ti­onships. At the inter­sec­tion of two main axes, a gene­rously glazed dance hall pres­ents itself and makes the acti­vi­ties inside visible. On the oppo­site side, the buil­ding was set back in order to preserve an exis­ting Lebanon cedar tree, which shades the rhythmic gymnastics room with its 12-metre-high ceiling.

Inside, a clear, open orga­niza­tion ensures flowing tran­si­tions between uses. The archi­tects speak of “joyful poro­sity”: visual connec­tions, multiple entrances and intui­tive routing link the diffe­rent areas toge­ther. A two-storey foyer forms the spatial center and links the levels visually and func­tion­ally. From here, a sculp­tural concrete stair­case provides access to the multi-purpose hall and the grand­stands, while the sports hall and addi­tional rooms are located on the first floor.

The inte­riors in SPOT are deli­bera­tely desi­gned to be spacious and flooded with light. Supporting struc­tures visually recede into the back­ground, crea­ting a coherent spatial effect. Color-struc­tured zones in shades of blue, ochre and white support orien­ta­tion and lend the buil­ding a lively atmo­sphere.

A central archi­tec­tural high­light is the 42-metre wide and 15-metre high clim­bing wall, which is inte­grated into the sports hall as an inde­pen­dent spatial element. Its sculp­tural form is remi­nis­cent of a natural rock struc­ture. A trian­gular opening allows daylight to pene­trate deep into the room. Oppo­site is a grand­stand with 750 seats that extends into the multi-purpose hall above.

The two main volumes – sports hall and multi-purpose hall – are desi­gned as inter­linked units. They can be used inde­pendently of each other or connected to form a conti­guous area of around 2,800 m². This flexi­bi­lity enables a wide variety of scena­rios – from sporting events to major cultural events.

The SPOT has created a dynamic, versa­tile infra­struc­ture that harmo­nizes histo­rical iden­tity and contem­po­rary archi­tec­ture. The project shows how precise inter­ven­tions and spatial open­ness can create a place that meets the social and cultural requi­re­ments of a modern city.

Domi­nique Coulon & Asso­ciés

City of Thion­ville

Opening

2024

Eugeni Pons

Johannes Bühl­be­cker
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