Kotarz Arena is a multifunctional, year-round sports and leisure complex in Brenna, based on the principle of modular expansion and a strong connection to the local landscape and regional culture. The project combines hotel, recreational, educational, sports, and residential functions within a coherent architectural structure distinguished by its flexible development and strong sense of place. All of this is envisioned as part of the expansion of the ski slope network on Hala Jaworowa Kotarz, which would connect to the Szczyrk Mountain Resort complex via Solisko.
A year-round mountain resort based on sunlight, modularity, and local identity.
Kotarz Arena was conceived as a contemporary interpretation of a mountain architectural ensemble. Its strength lies in its modularity, which allows the complex to evolve over time, as well as in its conscious reference to Brenna’s traditions through its functional program, relationship with the landscape, and coherent architectural language.
The project is located in the mountainous landscape of Brenna, in the area of Kotarz and Stożek, surrounded by ski slopes, meadows, pastures, and the Brennica valley. The design consciously draws on the site’s qualities, not only by integrating the buildings into the terrain, but also by referring to local culture and tradition. An important element of the concept is the restoration of former landscape functions, such as traditional sheep grazing, and the enrichment of the complex with an educational and ethnographic program connected to the region.
The concept is based on dividing the development into functional modules which together form a coherent, year-round active leisure complex. The core of the accommodation base consists of aparthotels designed as repetitive, segmented buildings that can be expanded as the development progresses. This approach makes it possible to maintain a consistent architectural character while allowing flexibility in both the program and the scale of implementation. The complex includes, among others, aparthotels, a hotel with a service area, a water park, wellness and sauna zones, residential buildings, retail and service arcades, multi-storey car parks, dining facilities, and gondola lift infrastructure.
The spatial layout of the complex was designed so that different user groups can enjoy it throughout the year. The program is complemented by recreational and educational functions such as a riverside boulevard, a camping site, a cultural and ecological education centre, educational trails, an ethnographic park, an ice rink, a snowpark, a wakepark, a mini zoo, and viewing points. As a result, Kotarz Arena is not only a complex of sports-related functions, but also a place for leisure, education, and local experiences.
Modular building structure – allows the investment to be phased and the complex to be developed flexibly without losing coherence.
Consistent architectural expression – all buildings are united by a common formal language that creates a recognizable identity for the place.
Distinctive roof geometry – mono-pitched roofs with southern orientation combine aesthetic, functional, and energy-related benefits. All modules were designed with mono-pitched roofs, rising from the northern corner and set at a 45-degree angle to the building edges. As a result, the entire roof slope faces south, maximizing the use of solar energy. To make better use of the attic spaces, cubic forms projecting from the roof plane were introduced, increasing the usable area of the buildings. The design also предусматриes the use of photovoltaic roof tiles integrated into the architecture of the buildings.
Year-round, multifunctional program – the complex integrates hotel, residential, sports, recreational, educational, and service functions.
Gallery
