Ice Palace

About object:

Ice Palace” is built in the territory that was designed by the city as massive sports complex for different sports. According to architects, when composing the building attempts were made to achieve a clear, laconic form that would fulfill the technological function at the lowest costs. The interior structure of the building can be “read” in its exterior – the building consists of three blocks: steel grey vertical monolith is “intercepted” by the “wedge” volume painted green where there are administrative premises with a cloakroom and restaurants, as well as sports equipment store.

Although it is difficult to guess from the outside, two international ice hockey federation standard sized ice rinks fit in the “Ice Palace”: training facilities and main arena with tribunes for 3000 visitors. The latter is used for other events as well.

Noble materials are chosen for the finishing of the building: dark glass, large dark silver metal planes, and actively painted plaster give the impression as if these parts are inlaid into each other and make an integral monumental volume.

Quiet, horizontal silhouette of the building does not compete with the nearby arch of the hall, however, it does not go unnoticed – it was acknowledged as the best sports building in 2002.

A. Štelbienė