The construction of the World of Sports in Herzogenaurach in central Franconia began in 1999. At that time, a large sporting goods manufacturer relocated its office to a converted barracks building. Since then, the World of Sports has developed into superlative premises for the company. Office complexes, residential buildings, sports facilities and green spaces now shine with BEGA light, which perfectly combines functionality and aesthetics.
Part of the company premises is the HOMEGROUND, a building complex consisting of residential units, sports facilities, restaurants, as well as areas for work and fitness. The great advantage of this cosy but luxurious neighbourhood is the short distances between the buildings, which are constructed from prefabricated cross-laminated timber. The buildings are arranged compactly around a square. The free-standing BEGA bollards, which provide asymmetrical illumination of the surroundings, provide safety and orientation on the paved paths. Compact ceiling-mounted downlights have been installed on the other buildings to provide sufficient illumination. They bathe the façades of the buildings and the area in front of them in a warm, friendly light, creating a cosy atmosphere.
The square Tiny Houses on the site housed the German men’s national football team during the 2020 and 2022 European Championships. The small residential units are tucked away in a mixed forest and offer athletes plenty of space for relaxation and privacy. The entrance area at the forest houses is illuminated with downlighting from the BEGA wall luminaires, creating a particularly harmonious lighting atmosphere.
The new office and reception building, the Arena, is a highlight of the World of Sports with its sculptural architecture. Around 2,000 employees will find modern workplaces here on the 52,000 square metres. The building has three levels, which employees access via a monumental, self-supporting staircase in the foyer. The complex seems to be hovering over the landscape. However, it is supported by diagonally arranged steel composite columns – an architectural work of art for which the architects were honoured with the German Steel Construction Engineering Award in 2019. BEGA recessed ceiling luminaires illuminate the pathways under the high roof of the arena. In addition, BEGA pole-top luminaires create the perfect lighting for the entire site, and illuminate the main and side paths with different light intensities.
Architects Behnisch Architekten, Stuttgart · Cobe Architekten, Copenhagen (Denmark)
Lighting design Bartenbach GmbH, Aldrans (Austria)
Landscape architects Lola Landscape Architects, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
