Sportcampus Stadspark opens its doors in Turnhout

The exceptional location was an important starting point from the outset. The extensive programme had to be accommodated within a limited building zone without allowing the building to dominate Stadspark. A compact volume was therefore chosen, opening up towards its surroundings on all sides. The rounded forms and curved timber façades follow the lines of the park and give the building a warm and recognisable appearance. Large glazed sections bring daylight deep into the building, make sport and movement visible from outside and create continuous visual connections with the landscape.

The 16-metre-high climbing hall forms a distinctive landmark. Its transparent north façade allows generous natural light to enter and gives climbers views over the surrounding greenery. In the evening, the illuminated climbing hall becomes a recognisable beacon within Stadspark.

Carefully positioned views towards the surroundings have also been created from the sports halls and other public spaces, maintaining a continuous connection between inside and outside.

Bas Symons (Project Architect, ZJA Architects & Engineers): "The strength of the design lies in the natural relationship between the building and the park. The rounded forms follow the landscape, transparent façades connect inside and outside, and the timber skin gives the complex a warm and recognisable character. The 16-metre-high climbing hall forms a distinctive landmark within the park. The result is an all-sided building in which sport, education and landscape form a single architectural whole."

Sportcampus Stadspark brings a wide range of functions together under one roof. In addition to two sports halls, the building includes a climbing hall, dojo, dance studio, nine classrooms and supporting facilities. It therefore functions both as an urban sports facility and as an integral part of the adjacent school campus.

Clear circulation routes and visual connections between the different functions make activities throughout the building visible and tangible. Athletes, students and visitors cross paths while maintaining a connection with the surrounding park.

This relationship continues outdoors. Between the school and the sports complex, a renewed sports and play zone has been created, providing space for activities including table tennis, football and basketball. Together, building and landscape form an environment for movement, learning and meeting.

Jan Van Pelt (Project Architect, Archiles Architecten): "The greatest challenge was to accommodate an extensive programme within a sensitive park setting without allowing the building to dominate the park. The compact form, soft lines and continuous relationship with the greenery directly reflect that ambition. During the further development of the project, it was essential to safeguard this relationship between building and landscape through to completion."

Sustainable and integrated into the landscape

Sustainability and climate adaptation are integral aspects of the project. The use of natural materials, solar panels and connection to an aquifer thermal energy storage system contribute to an energy-efficient building.

The design of the outdoor space also plays an important role. The existing parking avenue has been partially depaved and landscaped, creating more space for greenery and recreation while allowing rainwater to infiltrate more effectively into the soil. Excess rainwater is collected in a large bioswale.

In this way, Sportcampus Stadspark is integrated into its surroundings not only spatially, but also ecologically.

A new public destination for Turnhout

With the opening of Sportcampus Stadspark, Turnhout gains a future-oriented facility in which sport, education, social interaction and landscape are closely interconnected. The campus strengthens the city’s sports provision while at the same time adding a new public destination to Stadspark, where students, athletes, clubs and visitors can meet on a daily basis.