multipurpose hall, haute-nendaz, competition

client :

municipality of nendaz

program :

multipurpose hall, church place

dates :

competition septembrer 2009

sia 116 volume :

6’735 m3

the multipurpose hall is simply sited between the church and the school, making use of the topography to create a new key space – the church square. from this square, which has a magnificent panoramic view, there is access both to the church and the multipurpose hall. setting the hall into the slope reduces the impact of the building, which is large by village standards. the parking places are sited naturally along the roads.

the building is a single compact unit, arranged parallel to the contour lines. it consists of an orthogonal hall part and a service part, whose shape is adapted to the topography. the entrance is at the foyer level, with an open space in front. the changing rooms and sports hall are on the level below.

the use of wood as the construction material is a reference to traditional buildings, and makes this new building a secondary structure, rather like the barns built between houses, in comparison with the stone-built church and school. the façades and roof are covered with naturally-weathered wood (biood), which gives the building a traditional, timeless appearance that blends with the rest of the village. the wooden structure makes the hall economical to build for its size and provides work for the local timber industry.

the use of an efficient thermal envelope, controlled ventilation, and an appropriate system for generating heat enables the project to meet the swiss minergie standard for low-energy-consumption buildings. this ensures that the building is comfortable, maintains its value, and saves energy.