At the heart of Swedish tennis, at the Båstad Sports Center (Drivan), Balustrade Store has delivered a robust and modern railing solution. The facility serves as a central gathering place for athletes and spectators, which places specific demands on the materials used. A railing in this type of environment must be able to accommodate large crowds during events, provide an unobstructed view of the tennis and padel courts, and at the same time withstand the harsh coastal climate. The choice fell on our Forma model (formerly Alu Classic).
Project Information:
- Location: Båstad Sports Center (Drivan).
- Product: Forma Glass Railing (formerly known as Alu Classic).
- Height: 1,100 mm—designed to meet safety requirements for public areas.
- Materials: Maintenance-free aluminum and laminated safety glass.
- Purpose: To create safe public areas while maintaining visibility of the facility’s courts.
Forma – A Sustainable Solution for Public Sports Facilities
Our Forma model is one of our most popular choices for projects where both aesthetics and technical performance are crucial. For Båstad Sportcenter, it was important to have a solution that not only looks professional but is also practical for the facility’s day-to-day operations. Aluminum is an ideal material for an outdoor railing in a coastal environment like Båstad, as it is naturally rust-resistant and can withstand salt-laden air.
Unlike a wooden railing, which requires regular maintenance in the form of sanding and painting, Forma only needs to be cleaned occasionally to maintain its finish year after year. For a sports facility, this means lower long-term costs and an environment that always looks presentable to members and visitors. Choosing to install an aluminum railing is therefore a strategic investment in the facility’s future.
Safety and Regulations Regarding Handrail Height
A critical factor in the Drivan project is that the railings were delivered with a height of 1,100 mm. In public spaces and sports facilities, it is strictly necessary to comply with the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning’s building regulations (BBR). According to these requirements, a railing must be at least 1,100 mm high when the drop height exceeds three meters, or where there is a risk of crowding in public areas.
Installing this height ensures a safe environment for visitors of all ages, from children watching practices to spectators at major tournaments. The question of what railing height to choose is central to all public projects, and with the Forma system, it’s easy to configure the solution so that it meets all legal requirements without obstructing the view of the courts.
Customization Options for Outdoor Environments
The Forma series stands out for its great flexibility, which allows the system to be tailored to the specific conditions of a bleacher or terrace at a sports facility. This includes everything from the choice of color for the posts to how the railing is technically installed to optimize the space:
- Installation: The railing can be mounted on top of the subfloor using a foot or hung on the outside of the joists (side mounting) to maximize the audience area.
- Color options: The posts are available in standard colors such as natural, white, black, and gray, but can also be painted in specific RAL colors to match the club’s graphic identity.
Having a balcony with a railing or a glass-enclosed public terrace offers the advantage of providing visitors with effective wind protection—which is highly appreciated in Båstad’s open landscape—while ensuring that the visual experience of the sport remains unimpeded.
Laminated safety glass for safe use
We always supply certified, laminated safety glass for our railing solutions. For the project at the Båstad Sports Center, this means that two glass panels have been bonded together with a strong plastic film. Should an accident occur and the glass shatter, the film holds the glass panel together as a single unit.
This minimizes the risk of injury and is a prerequisite for installing a glass railing in an environment where people move about on a daily basis. Whether you’re planning to build a railing on your patio at home or are in charge of a large sports facility, Forma offers the technical stability and safety required for a successful and durable result.
