Hallen - A Study in Combining A Commnunity Center (Folkets Hus) With A Sports Hall

Abstract: This project aimed to work proactively on the issue of health in rural areas by combining social and sports-related activities in a “Folkets hus” (community center) context. The Stora Sundby region in Eskilstuna municipality, which includes Alberga and a couple of small villages, was the subject of investigation due to a lack of access to physical health care, underlying health problems in the municipality and a lack of social spaces. In addition to own analyses a separate survey was conducted, in which 56 people participated, to understand the public needs in the Stora Sundby region. The survey gave a good picture of what residents in the area wanted and to some extent confirmed my own research. The investigations resulted in a community center with a sports hall add-on. The building is located next to Alberga's school, sports field and sports club to encourage an active lifestyle at an early age. The “Folkets hus” section include meeting rooms, gathering rooms, a café, rooms for lectures and a staff department, while the add-on includes a larger and a smaller sports hall, changing rooms and a gym. In order to handle the combination of sports and social activities, natural ventilation became an important part of the project. The storage spaces in the large sports hall multi-function as air valves and supply air to the building while skylights in the other volumes allow air to flow out.