A sustainable sports hall, designed for Réunion island’s climate

Located in the center of Joinville, this sports facility reflects the City of Saint-Denis’ commitment to expanding its athletic infrastructure with high-performance, sustainable structures specifically engineered for local climate conditions.

Spanning 14,750 sq ft / 1,370 m², the building is designed to accommodate basketball, handball, and volleyball. It offers athletes a covered, bright, and naturally ventilated space, ensuring optimal comfort throughout the year.

The main structure is built with glued laminated timber frame, a bio-based material known for its mechanical strength, durability, and excellent performance in tropical environments. The textile membrane roof allows plenty of natural light to enter, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours while providing effective protection against heavy rain and harsh weather.

The gable facades were designed to promote natural ventilation while providing protection from the sun, which is essential in a hot and humid climate:

• Wooden shutters in the lower section facilitate air circulation,
• Micro-perforated fabric in the upper section, with screen printing combining aesthetics, solar filtration, and thermal comfort.

The building has been specifically designed to cope with the climatic constraints specific to Reunion Island: cyclonic winds, heavy rains, high humidity, and salt exposure.

This approach provides a reliable and durable infrastructure capable of ensuring continuity of sporting activities, even in an environment subject to demanding weather conditions.

The hall is equipped with a polyurethane resin floor, with regulation markings for basketball and handball. The integrated sports equipment includes:

• Handball goals,
• Liftable side basketball hoops,
• A 150-seat grandstand integrated into the building, allowing the hall to be certified and the public to be welcomed in good conditions.

The Joinville sports hall is thus fully in line with an approach to developing sports infrastructure that is responsible, functional, sustainable, and adapted to the local climate.