Innovative Troldtekt architecture helps keep people moving

Urban activities traditionally consigned to the urban landscape are now being embraced by the mainstream and incorporated into the interior sports environment, as Troldtekt discuss here…

Sports such as parkour, street football and street basketball have been adopted by leisure companies to attract younger members and to keep people moving, which has led to a new generation of buildings offering urban activities in a raw industrial environment.

These buildings will require specialist architectural innovation to facilitate this; for example, Troldtekt wood wool panelling is frequently used to combat the effects of noise and reverberation around these large spaces, while offering aesthetic appeal as well.

Troldtekt has examined this trend in detail in its latest theme on sports and movement. The theme includes expert articles and interviews with architects and sport science lecturers, along with relevant case studies.

A good example is the 23,000 square metre Holbaek Sportsby in Denmark, which encompasses a swimming pool, racquet sports, multi-purpose hall and mountain bike trails together with a modern Health Centre.

This project saw Troldtekt acoustic panels offer robustness, strength and natural breathability from the wood. The superior acoustic properties of the panels resulted in a dramatic reduction of reverberation, where physical activity takes place.

However, with cities having less space to build on, new solutions have also emerged to integrate sport and movement inside the built environment itself.

This involves innovative thinking to create the efficient use of existing facilities, such as schools, which can have a major impact on children’s activity levels, as it is easier and more convenient to be active in buildings already in use.

Even sports parks on city roofs and corridors turned into race-tracks are becoming more frequent.

The essential characteristics of a good activity environment are accessibility and flexibility, inviting and comfortable zones, and movement areas which are green and sustainable.

Troldtekt acoustic solutions are an important part of the design, especially where activity noise is increased and the space must accommodate everyone, from keen football players to jubilant children.

In addition, robustness and strength, such as impact resistance to balls hitting ceilings and walls, are vital. This is why Troldtekt is so widely specified where the focus is on movement.

Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability.

Available in a variety of sizes and in four grades, from extreme to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

Photo credit: Rasmus Hjortshøj/COAST Studio