To celebrate this anniversary, the LIAG team is reflecting on some of their most remarkable projects this year. SportQube in Nijmegen is undoubtedly one of them. For project leader Jeroen Kaan, the choice was easy: "This is a state-of-the-art facility for elite sports (such as gymnastics and judo) and recreational sports (including rugby). The building also houses additional functions like a medical center and refreshment facilities. As a project leader, I know this building inside out, but I'm familiar with it as a visitor too. My daughter trains at a high level and has regularly attended training camps here with her gymnastics club from The Hague."
Jeroen explains: "The design of SportQube continues to fascinate me. Above the transparent plinth 'float' golden cubes that reflect the highest achievable goal for athletes: the path to the highest step on the podium, the gold. The golden color in which the building is essentially wrapped is anything but coincidental." The transparent character of the sports facility is also striking. "From the outside, passersby can see athletes in action. From inside, from the central heart of the building, the full range of sports activities is visible at a glance. It's as if the sports and athletes are truly on display here."
But the design isn't the only thing that excites Jeroen. "In architecture we went for gold, but that also applied to the process," he says. "The collaboration with Wim Zegers from gymnastics club De Hazenkamp and construction company Mertens were absolute highlights for me. We brilliantly overcame every challenge. Whether it concerned the execution of the design (with stacked halls and interlocking building sections), the specific requirements for a gymnastics hall (such as the foam pit for safe landings), or the addition of an extra room during construction. With SportQube, we have truly set a new standard."
