The new multipurpose sports hall serves the pupils of the Palachova Primary and Nursery School, local sports clubs, and the general public. Thanks to its spatial versatility, it accommodates school-based physical education, sports tournaments, concerts, and theatrical performances, thereby becoming an active component of the town's social and cultural life.

The hall is situated on the edge of the Brandýs urban heritage zone. It replaces an underutilized park and sports ground formerly bordered by a busy traffic junction and an adjacent parking area near the railway stop. The design of the new building and its surrounding landscape had to address a range of constraints, from spatial and regulatory requirements set by the heritage zone’s master plan to the ambitious capacity demands of the facility. The architectural intent was to develop a coherent urban solution with an active ground-level interface and a built form that harmonizes with its historic context – namely, the neighboring neo-Renaissance school building from 1905 and the classroom extension completed in 2019.

The objective was to design a building that is both appropriate in scale and function as a gymnasium while also being suitably dignified for hosting civic events. The semi-recessed volume opens to the surrounding environment with a fully glazed façade at ground level, creating a strong visual connection between the interior and the adjacent park, allowing passersby to view interior activities as if from a grandstand. On the northern façade, the main entrance foyer is connected to an outdoor gathering area through large glazed surfaces, framed by a terraced staircase and the existing classroom wing. The copper-colored façade panels are a reference to the traditional roofing materials of surrounding residential structures, visible from distant vantage points, and they also materially continue the metal cladding of the classroom extension. Mature trees located close to the building add a dynamic character to the façade by casting irregular shadows and allowing dappled daylight to interact with the building envelope, imparting additional depth and visual texture.

The interior is organized as a flexible layout. The main sports hall can be divided into three smaller units using mobile partition curtains. Additional facilities include a multipurpose hall and support spaces for athletes and up to 300 spectators. The building is designed to passive house standards. Heating is provided via ground-

The semi-recessed sports hall features a fully glazed façade at ground-floor level, allowing visual interaction between the interior and the adjacent public park. This design enables passersby to observe activities inside as if from a spectator stand. On the northern side, near the main entrance, the foyer connects to an exterior forecourt through extensive glazing. This exterior space is defined by a terraced landscape staircase and the existing classroom extension. The façade is clad with copper-colored panels that reference the roofing materials of surrounding buildings, which are visible from more distant viewpoints, and materially continue the metal cladding used on the adjacent classroom annex. Mature trees in close proximity to the building further enhance the architectural expression by casting irregular shadows and filtering light, adding depth and visual complexity to the façade surface.

The layout of the building—particularly the primary space formed by the sports hall—is conceived as a highly flexible environment. The gymnasium can be subdivided into three functional units using retractable partition curtains. The generous volume of the sports hall has been designed in accordance with the latest requirements of the Czech National Sports Agency (NSA), enabling the hosting of higher-level competitions across various sports disciplines. Integrated within the hall is a spectator stand with a capacity of up to 300 seats. The operational programme is complemented by modern athlete facilities and a smaller multipurpose hall.

The building was designed and constructed to meet passive house standards, ensuring environmentally and economically responsible operation. Heating is provided by a ground-to-water heat pump system, supported by a secondary electric boiler. The same system enables passive cooling of the building during the summer months. Throughout the facility, mechanical ventilation is implemented via air-handling units equipped with heat recovery exchangers, which reclaim heat generated during physical activity—further optimizing energy use. The energy performance of the building is enhanced by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. The roof itself is designed as a green roof, contributing to improved microclimatic conditions within the relatively dense urban surroundings and enhancing rainwater management.