Balustrade Store . has had the privilege of supplying a railing solution for the modern sports arena in Hjärnarp that is specially designed for demanding public environments. In a sports arena, it is crucial that the audience has an unobstructed view of what is happening on the playing field, while the requirements for fall protection and safety are significantly higher than in private settings. The Arcus glass railing was chosen for this project; with its minimalist design, it is engineered to optimize the natural advantages of glass.
Project Information:
- Location: Sports Hall in Hjärnarp.
- Product: Arcus Glass Railing (minimalist post system).
- Design Focus: More glass and fewer posts to maximize the unobstructed view.
- Safety: 8.76 mm laminated safety glass with ground and polished edges.
- Application: Aluminum posts that require minimal maintenance in public settings.
Arcus – A minimalist glass railing for unobstructed views
Arcus is designed for architecture where transparency and natural light are key. It is a railing system that, in practice, means “more glass and fewer posts.” In the sports hall in Hjärnarp, the railing serves as a discreet yet very sturdy frame for the seating areas and indoor level changes. The use of slender posts creates a sense of space, which is a major advantage when installing an indoor railing in areas where many people gather at the same time.
Arcus’s minimalist design allows it to blend seamlessly into the rest of the gym’s interior without distracting from the activities on the court. The posts in the series are available in several standard colors to match the arena’s specific color scheme, including natural (aluminum), white, black, and a variety of gray shades with different textures. The ability to customize the color makes the railing solution feel like an integral part of the arena’s design rather than an afterthought, which is often a key requirement in architectural projects.
Safety and Glass Design for Public Spaces
Safety is the single most important factor in a sports arena, where there is often a great deal of movement and pressure against the railings from an enthusiastic crowd. For the project in Hjärnarp, 8.76 mm laminated safety glass was supplied. This type of glass consists of two glass panes bonded together with a tough plastic film.
This design is absolutely crucial for safety. If, against all odds, a glass pane were to shatter, the plastic film ensures that the glass remains intact as a single unit. This prevents both the risk of falls and injuries to spectators or athletes from loose glass shards. For environments subject to particularly high stresses, we also offer tempered laminated glass, which provides even greater mechanical strength and peace of mind for the property owner.
Technical Requirements and Prescribed Height of Handrails
When planning and installing a railing in public spaces, we strictly adhere to the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning’s building regulations (BBR). One of the most critical issues concerns the required railing height for the environment to be classified as safe. For the Arcus system, the height can be adjusted between 800 mm and 1100 mm directly in our design tool.
In a sports arena, where there can be significant differences in floor levels in the stands, it is common to use a railing height of 1,100 mm. This ensures adequate fall protection for both adults and children. Here, Arcus demonstrates how to achieve these safety heights without creating a barrier that feels heavy or obstructs the view for those sitting in the stands. The option to add a discreet glass railing (top rail) also provides extra stability along the top edge of the glass, which is often appreciated in public spaces.
Durability and Maintenance in High-Traffic Environments
A railing system in a public hall must withstand daily wear and tear over many years. The posts in the Arcus series are made of high-quality aluminum, a material known for its durability and ease of maintenance. Unlike steel or wood, the aluminum posts require no repainting or rust-proofing, which is a significant financial benefit for property managers over time.
Whether you're planning to install railings for a new sports facility or need to upgrade safety measures in a public area, Arcus offers the perfect balance between modern aesthetics and technical functionality.
