A glass balustrade at a sports facility can create clear boundaries without obstructing the audience’s view of the playing fields. For Båstad Sportcenter (Drivan), we supplied Forma, our glass balustrade with aluminium posts, and laminated safety glass. The solution combines a modern and open design with materials suitable for outdoor environments where large numbers of people gather.
How do you ensure an unobstructed view of tennis and padel courts with glass balustrades?
At a sports facility, it is important that visitors and spectators be able to follow the action on the playing fields. The balustrades along terraces, walkways, and other changes in level must therefore be designed to provide a clear boundary without unnecessarily obstructing the view.
At Båstad Sportcenter, the goal was to combine an open visual aesthetic with a balustrade solution tailored to the facility’s use. By choosing glass instead of a more solid balustrade infill, the connection to the tennis and padel courts was preserved.
The transparency of the glass allows visitors’ gaze to pass through the balustrade, while the aluminium posts create a clear and cohesive frame. This results in a minimalist look that suits a modern sports environment.
Which glass balustrade solution was chosen for Båstad Sportcenter?
The choice was Forma, our glass balustrade with aluminium posts and glass infill. The model, previously called Alu Classic, can be adapted to different settings and fixing conditions.
In this project, it was above all the combination of transparency, materials, and a consistent design that made Forma the ideal choice.
- Project and location
- Glass balustrade for Båstad Sportcenter (Drivan), a sports facility with tennis and padel courts where good visibility and an open environment are key elements of the visitor experience.
- Balustrade model
- Forma glass balustrade, a balustrade system with aluminium posts and transparent glass panels that can be adapted to different types of outdoor spaces and changes in elevation.
- Glass and materials
- Laminated safety glass was combined with aluminium posts to create a balustrade solution with a modern look and good visibility.
- Design and function
- The balustrade's design was chosen with a focus on unobstructed sightlines, a cohesive visual appearance, and use in an environment with many visitors.
Why is Forma appropriate in a public sports setting?
At a sports facility, a balustrade must work in harmony with both the building’s design and the way people use the space. Glass balustrades can be an option when you want to maintain a clear view of the surroundings while also creating a distinct boundary between different areas.
Forma combines glass with aluminium posts and has a pared-back design language that can be adapted to different architectural settings. The glass gives an open feel, while the posts form a recurring structure along the length of the balustrade.
For Båstad Sportcenter, this meant a solution in which the balustrade becomes a natural part of the facility without detracting from the tennis and padel courts. At the same time, the transparent design contributes to a bright and airy overall impression.
How can a glass balustrade be adapted for use at a sports facility?
A glass balustrade needs to be adapted to the dimensions of the site, the substrate and how it will be used. At a sports facility, for example, this might involve creating clear walkways, preserving the view and choosing a design that works with the building’s other materials.
Forma offers various options for customising the mounting and appearance of the balustrade. Depending on the product model and design, top mounting or side mounting may be applicable.
- Top mounting
- The balustrade’s posts are anchored on top of the load-bearing substrate. The solution can be suitable when the construction and the available surface allow this type of fixing.
- Side mounting
- The posts are anchored along the exterior of the structure. This can be an option when you want to preserve more of the usable floor space, provided that the substrate is suitable for fixing.
- Colour and finish
- Aluminium posts are available in a variety of colours and finishes. By coordinating the balustrade’s colour with the building’s façade and other details, you can create a cohesive look.
What do you need to consider regarding the safety of glass balustrades in public settings?
Glass balustrades at sports facilities need to be chosen according to how the areas are used and the loads the structure may be subjected to. Where many people gather, it is particularly important that the balustrade’s glass, posts and fixings are suited to the use in question.
Laminated safety glass was used in the project at Båstad Sportcenter. It consists of glass panes bonded together with an interlayer. If the glass breaks, the interlayer helps hold the pieces together, which is an important property in many balustrade constructions.
The design of the glass must always be evaluated in conjunction with the other components of the balustrade. The appropriate solution depends, among other things, on drop height, the mounting surface, the expected load, and the number of people using the area.
Can a glass balustrade also give wind shelter by tennis and padel courts?
Glass in a balustrade can help reduce airflow through the balustrade’s infill and create a more sheltered feeling in nearby areas. Unlike an open balustrade with wider gaps, the glass forms a continuous surface that affects how the wind passes through.
How much effect the glass balustrade has depends on its design, position and the surrounding conditions, among other things. On open terraces and spectator areas, glass can therefore help create a more pleasant environment while visitors keep their connection with the action on the courts.
If wind shelter is an important aim, the design and fixing of the glass need to be planned with the wind conditions at the site in mind.
How do you maintain glass balustrades with aluminium posts in a sports setting?
At a sports facility where many people gather, handrails can be exposed to fingerprints, dirt, and frequent contact. Therefore, it is advantageous to choose materials that are easy to clean and suitable for the environment in which they will be used.
Aluminium is highly resistant to corrosion and is often used in outdoor balustrades. The material still needs to be cleaned and maintained depending on its location and surface treatment, especially in environments where moisture, dirt, or other deposits are present.
The glass surfaces can be cleaned as needed using appropriate cleaning products. The posts, fixings, and other components must also be inspected and maintained in accordance with the product instructions and facility procedures.
What does the project show about glass balustrades for sports facilities?
The project at Båstad Sportcenter demonstrates how a glass balustrade can create a clear and modern boundary without restricting visual contact with the surroundings more than necessary. With Forma, transparent glass and aluminium posts were combined into a solution that complements the facility’s open design.
When the design, materials, and fixing of the balustrade are planned based on the site’s intended use, it can become a natural part of the sports environment. The result is a well-considered balance between architecture, sightlines, and the technical requirements that must be addressed in a project involving public spaces.
