Modernisation of Hala Urania in Olsztyn Showcases Unique HIMACS Facade
The transformation of the iconic Urania Sports & Entertainment Centre, which first opened its doors in 1978, is now complete with a striking façade made from HIMACS Solid Surface in Alpine White. This upgrade not only enhances the hall’s visual appeal but also boosts its functionality and safety.
Spanning an impressive 2,100 m2, the HIMACS façade impresses with its blend of aesthetic elegance and certified fire resistance. The material was chosen for its ability to seamlessly combine functionality with design, offering features such as artistically milled lettering, backlit designs, and curved contours.
HIMACS, a favoured choice for architectural facades, has undergone rigorous fire resistance testing and has been awarded the NRO (Non Spreading Fire) certificate by the Polish Fire Test Facility (ITB). This accreditation positions HIMACS as one of the few approved solid surface materials for outdoor facades in Poland.
This ambitious project was led by Urban Architect Studio, collaborating closely with General Contractor Mirbud S.A. and fabricator Euromet Studio Reklamy. The project’s scope extended beyond the hall’s refurbishment to include an outdoor ice rink, underground car park, above-ground parking spaces, vehicular and pedestrian areas, landscaping, and technical infrastructure.
The impressive HIMACS façade, with its geometric honeycomb pattern, imbues the building with both transparency and stability. Advanced CNC milling technology was employed to custom-design each façade element, even transforming the expansion joint into a distinctive design feature. The façade comprises over 450 wide sheets (1320mm) of HIMACS, covering an area of more than 2100sqm.
HIMACS is a versatile solid surface material that can be moulded into various shapes, making it ideal for architectural and interior applications. Composed of minerals, acrylic, and natural pigments, HIMACS offers a smooth, non-porous, and visually seamless surface that meets the highest standards for quality, aesthetics, functionality, and hygiene.
With numerous internationally recognised certificates attesting to its quality and ecological commitment, HIMACS also stands as the first Solid Surface to receive the official European Technical Approval (ETA) for façades, specifically for the Alpine White S728 colour.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Location: Olsztyn, Poland
Design: Dorota Szymaniak – Urban
Fabrication: Euromet Studio Reklamy
HIMACS Supplier: Patron-Bis Sp. Z o.o.
Material: HIMACS S028 Alpine White lxhausys.com/eu
Photographer: Cath Graz, Hubert de Jakusz-Gostomski
