Client: Administration des Bâtiments Publics, Luxembourg
Architects: Roger Taillibert Cabinet d’Architecture, Paris
Structural Engineers: Finnmap Consulting Oy
Service Engineers: Luxconsult S.A.
Timber suppliers: Prefalux S.A., Luxembourg
Main contractors: Hochtief Luxembourg

The National Sports and Cultural Centre, completed in 2001, covers 13 hctares within the broad-leaved woods of a central city park in the Kirchberg region of the City of Luxembourg. Known as ‘d’Coque’, a French word for a hull, fuselage or shell, the building boasts one of the largest free spans in Europe, with its reticulated glulam roof spanning 95m.

The complex is sheltered under three isosceles triangulated timber shells, each with a span of about 95m, boarded above the expressed structure with acoustic slats, thermally insulated and clad in copper. The cradles that link these structures have translucent clerestories, and the main supports to form the foundations comprise nine reinforced concrete abutments.

The total roof surface of 18,500m2 collects all the precipitation for use within the complex and ultimately for return to the lake.

The Olympic sized indoor swimming pool was completed in 1984. The design for the multipurpose complex, completed in 2001, united the two stages of development by means of a common connecting entrance hall.

SWIMMING FACILITIES

• Olympic sized swimming pool
• Diving pool
• Children’s pool
• Solarium
• Tiered seating for 800

ADJUSTABLE MULTI-SPORTS HALL OFFERING

• 400m athletics track
• Fixed and mobile seating for 8,000 spectators
• 44m x 24m gymnasium and tiers for 1,000 spectators
• 50m x 12m warm-up pool connected to the Olympic pool
• Numerous sports rooms for judo, boxing, weight lifting, body building and table tennis
• Changing rooms
• Staff and private facilities for technical equipment, press rooms, auditoria, referee area, athletes’ accommodation, first aid and emergencies and security staff
• Entrance areas for exhibitions