ZOOM ON THE COMFORTABLE AND BRIGHT TENNIS HALL IN ST GALMIER (FRANCE)
SMC2, in collaboration with Flocon Architecture, designed and built the indoor tennis hall in Saint Galmier, France. This project once again illustrates our expertise in the construction of comfortable and bright sports buildings.
A TENNIS HALL DESIGNED FOR ATHLETES
At the request of the Saint Galmier town hall, we designed and built a 36 x 40m hall with two tennis courts. Mainly used by the town’s tennis club, this building offers optimal playing conditions for players.
For this purpose, we use a material that has become a key element of our work: the textile membrane. Present on the facades and on the roof, the stretched fabric provides complete comfort for the players. Its translucency allows the players to enjoy the natural light during the day. Julien Roux, architect at Flocon Architecture, says: “The main quality of this building is the playing area offered to users, who benefit from natural light thanks to the use of translucent fabric on the roof. In addition, the flexibility of the textile membrane limits the reverberation of sound for acoustic comfort. Its white colour prevents the accumulation of heat for thermal comfort, particularly in summer.”
Air renewal and the maintenance of a pleasant temperature all year round are also made possible by an efficient ventilation system coupled with an effective hygrothermal regulation system.
Julien Roux says: “We are satisfied with the play area offered to users. The interior space is quite successful. The structure is treated with finesse. The clay colour of the courts, the acoustics and the light allow the players to play in a very pleasant space. The feedback from the sports club is very positive.”
INDOOR TENNIS THAT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
The construction system used is good for the athlete but also for the planet. The framework is a combination of wood and steel. SMC2 favours wood construction for its environmental virtues thanks to the material’s ability to store CO2.
The textile membrane allows the creation of volume with minimal material and energy. Julien Roux explains: “The size of the land requires large spans, and the use of a light roofing system has made it possible to minimise the size of the structure and therefore reduce the overall costs of the project.”
Stretched fabric provides protection from the weather and has a low environmental impact during construction. Its carbon footprint is five times lower than that of steel decking, for example.
Julien Roux gives his opinion on this construction system: “It’s a successful gamble. The lightness and thinness of the structure are made possible thanks to the collaboration between the engineers and the architects. The concept is simple, ecological and very economical.”
SMC2 is committed to constructing sustainable sports buildings. The wood and the textile membrane allow the building to be integrated into its environment without distorting the local landscape. The 45m² textile facade is screen-printed for a unique rendering in the city’s colours.
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