Skating ring parc des Saphirs (domaine du Boisé)

This project offers a surface protected from the elements in both winter and summer. A large roof provides a surface that can be used as a skating rink in winter and a floor hockey or basketball court in summer. The building's façade is the most open to the street, so as to draw people in and encourage them to use it. The few rooms required have been positioned at the other end to close off the north-east façade and protect the playing surface from the prevailing winter winds.

The architectural concept revolves around a large roof with a hybrid (wood-steel) framework. This glued-laminated timber structure with a steel sub-tensioning system provides a clear span of 27 m despite its relatively low thickness. The geometry of the structure also allows for drainage on either side of the roof through the external fittings, making it easier to manage rainwater. This large wooden veil rests on a steel colonnade that extends on either side of the playing surface.