Evolution Design use a cascade of colour for children's sports centre
by Kim Megson | 01 Mar 2016
Swiss architecture studio Evolution Design have unveiled their latest completed project: a village sports centre whose interiors are almost completely covered in vibrant primary colours.
The walls and floor of the the Neumatt Centre’s main sports hall are bright green; the changing rooms are painted in rainbow-like shades of blue, yellow, red and orange; and large windows reflect the blue of the sky.
“If you want to encourage people to do sport you have to create a building that people like to be in," said Evolution Design technical director Marco Noch. “Children are the centre’s biggest users; therefore we used a natural concert of colour as a navigation device and to make people feel good in the space. It’s important that the centre doesn’t feel dark or dingy.”
Tanya Ruegg, the studio’s creative director, added: “Very often architects design for adults, but children have different needs. We felt it was important to use colour because not only is it easier for children to navigate with colour, it’s also more playful and taps into the way children see the world.”
Work on the 4,100sq m (44,100sq ft) site began in August 2014 in the village of Strengelbach, 38 miles outside of Zurich. The project was completed in December 2015. Three pitches inside meet international sporting standards.
The studio chose to embrace colour in the interiors because the building itself had to be simple and cheaply constructed to win the approval of the community.
The façade was designed to blend in with the rural landscape, and an upper glazed level reflects the sky. The stucco base features a pattern of sporting icon to create some visual identity.
The centre has a geothermal pump using naturally existing heat from below ground to control temperatures inside. Special capillary glass on the upper levels maximises thermal insulation, delivers natural light and minimises glare.
“It’s important that children grow up with environmentally friendly buildings,’ said Noch. “We want to show them that the world of tomorrow is not a world of endless resources.”
Evolution Design children's sports centre architecture design Neumatt Centre
The main sports hall has been painted a vibrant green to appeal to the children who use the facility Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
The changing rooms are painted vibrant colours to create a feeling of fun and energy Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
The architects wanted to avoid the centre becoming dark and dingy Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
'Not only is it easier for children to navigate with colour, it’s also more playful and taps into the way children see the world,' said the architects Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
The sports hall is now open after nearly two years of construction Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
The exterior of the building is more orthodox Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
The simple design was chosen to appeal to the community and reduce costs Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
A sport-themed pattern lines the building's stucco base Credit: Sue Baer Fotografie
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Swiss architecture studio Evolution Design have unveiled their latest completed project: a village sports centre whose interiors are almost completely covered in vibrant primary colours. The walls and floor of the the Neumatt Centre’s main sports hall are bright green; the changing rooms are painted in rainbow-like shades of blue, yellow, red and orange; and large windows reflect the blue of the sky. “If you want to encourage people to
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