Vaillant Arena Davos, CH-Davos
Although it is not even 40 years old, the Davos Ice Arena is already a building that has grown dear to the hearts of Davos residents. However, extensive renovations are needed to prepare this building for its next phase of use.
The great architectural quality of the existing building lies in the sculptural design of the interior with its exposed structural framework. This structure will be preserved as much as possible. To preserve the interior, we propose locating the necessary operational additions on the exterior wherever possible. This will create new backstage areas for the grandstands on the south side, as well as several side rooms on the upper floors of the north grandstand. The installation of the east balcony and the expansion of the west balcony will result in additional volumetric additions.
From both a functional and design perspective, however, these elements are brought together through the creation of a ring-shaped structure whose roof extends northward to form a large canopy. The architecturally sensitive base and corner points of the roof shells of the existing hall are treated with the utmost care: here, the walkway and roof detach from the building; the resulting distance makes the old structure palpable — it even sets the stage for it. At the same time, the patio-like openings bring light beneath the walkway and highlight the symbiotic interplay between the old and new parts of the building. Views in and out create, particularly in these areas, a network of connections that invites visitors to stroll and to “see and be seen.”
With the introduction of the visitor walkway on Level 2, it will be possible to walk around the interior of the building. This makes it possible to designate one side of the stadium as the main side and to create a representative forecourt and main entrance there. Since all seats are accessed via the walkway, this creates a logical, consistent, and easily manageable separation between seated and standing areas.
