SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland

Concrete

INFORMATION|Ferroconcrete

Ferroconcrete, which is an artificial

composition of natural materials, was the
foundation of new architecture in France.
First integrated by Joseph Monier in 1867,
later developed by Hennebique. Combined,
notably in load-bearing beams, iron and
concrete,it can resist compression in the
upper parts and tension in the lower parts -
due to the high density of iron, which makes
it possible for it to be slim and thin, while
still carrying large loads, and to the great
compressive strength and compact mass of the
concrete.

In 1905, city engineer John Alexander Brodie

invented the first modern example of precast
concrete in Liverpool, England. Although
precast concrete forming of panels wasn’t
popular in England, it flourished around the
world.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
Concrete
Low cost
INFORMATION |Pre-cast
Because of precast concrete’s
tightly controlled and
shorter production process, costs
can be more accurately
estimated earlier in the process
Speed to Market

A precast concrete structural

system can save a project
six to eight weeks compared to
steel and even more
when compared with cast-in-place Interior Design Flexibility
concrete
Because of precast concrete’s
tightly controlled and
shorter production process, costs
can be more accurately
estimated earlier in the process
Low Maintenance

Incorporating the
architectural design into the
structure enlarges panel Green Design
sizes, minimizing the number of
joints. This significantly Precast concrete offers a number of
reduces the chance for water environmental
penetration that can weaken benefits. It requires fewer
a structure and cause unsightly chemicals to keep it clean over
staining and mold its long lifetime, and it offers
problems. high durability that gives
it a total service life that far
outpaces designs using other
building materials.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
Precedents

INFORMATION |Pre-cast

Architect: Grüntuch Ernst Architects Architect: Jorn Utzon

Location: Madrid, Spain Location: Sydney, Australia
Year: 2015 Year: 1959

The new German school in madrid was conceived The Sydney Opera House is a perfect example

as a cluster of different educational of how precast concrete can be used for its

buildings with a honeycomb layout. Materials strength as well as its versatility. At the

used for the structure: white Concrete, Glass highest point, the structure is more than 200

and Aluminium. The facades of the classrooms feet above sea level. The roofs were

are a load bearing tract of precast V-shaped constructed using nearly 2,200 precast

column supports and concrete upstand concrete panels. These “shells” are supported

beams(parapet walls) with sloping tops set on by reinforced concrete “ribs.”

the in-situ floors(self carrying).

Reinforcement for the upstand beams was
incorporated in the floors.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
CASE STUDY

INFORMATION

ARCHITECT Studio Vacchini Architetti.

YEAR 2005.
LOCATION Brugg, Switzerland.
Client Kanton Aargau.
Height 10 meters.
Facade Precast Concrete.

The sports complex of Windisch-

Mülimatt, has been designed as one
big bright room, with no
attachments or secondary service
units. All playing fields receive
light from each building side and
when the covers are lifted they
have a dual external view.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
CASE STUDY

INFORMATION | LOCATION

The landscaping concerns only a wide and dense planting along both banks of the river.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
CASE STUDY

INFORMATION

The access to the gymnasium is made

on the square side, the central
point where pedestrians, bicycles
and cars arrive.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
ANALYSIS

STRUCTURE

At first sight, the folded structure

appears as if made from one piece in
exposed concrete. In fact, however, it
consists of pre-fabricated elements and was
subsequently merged into a monolithic unit
at the assembly joints and the prestressed
points by self-compacting concrete.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
CASE STUDY

Structure |Materials

Wall and roof modules

The structure consist of 27 wall
modules per long side of the building,
connected to rows of 7roofing modules.
This makes a total of 54 wall modules,
and 135 roofing modules which weight
between 35 and 50 metric tonnes.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
CASE STUDY

Structure |Molds

Two mold types are required for fabricating

roofing modules: one type for edge conditions
and one for spanning conditions.
Three mold types are required for walls: one for
running type and two types for corners.
Therefore in total, 5 distinct moulds are
required.

Each side requires 27 modules, two of which are

corner modules.
Therefore, all modules running along the
module’s length can be cast from the same mold
with the exception of the corners which are
mirrored and thus require two different molds.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
CASE STUDY

Structure |Tension

The span achieved by the structural

system is made possible through the
use of post tensioning system: a
series of cables and housings which
run continuously through the wall
modules, and the roof modules
 ANALYSIS

Circulation

SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland

 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
ANALYSIS

STRUCTURE

Thanks to the zigzag-shaped

folding, the structure
seems simple and light
despite the impressive beam
heights; this is underlined
by a low wall thickness of
24 cm in the elements, for
which a self-compacting,
fine-grained concrete was
used.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
ANALYSIS

STRUCTURE

The carrying structure is strong and

important, however the architectural
richness of the building is given by the
transparent or translucent elements. The
gymnastic halls is at the same level as the
natural ground; a great view is seen
throughout the landscape. The building
structure is compact, the footprint is
minimal, and the height is limited.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
ANALYSIS

STRUCTURE

Since the view from the raised railway line

falls on the hall roof, the architects paid
special attention to its design as a fifth
facade. A delicate folded structure of
exposed concrete spans the entire complex
and, together with the V-shaped columns,
forms a statically and aesthetically
indivisible unity.
 SPORTZENTRUM MULIMATT | Brugg, Switzerland
ANALYSIS

Conclusion

The modular walls and roof contribute structural depth and enable a high degree of porosity in
the building walls.
Space between wall units are glazed, providing the interior of the sports centre with generous
natural light.

The post tensioning system is composed of thin cables which pass through the modules of the
system — these allow the walls to become highly porous because they occupy very little space.

The building system integrates the facade and structure, facade and structure are one and the
same, form and structure are merged.