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hJELTEFJORDEN aRENA sWIMMING HALL

Rong | Norway

A modern swimming facility that unites carefully orchestrated natural lighting and materials with a high architectural standard. For the interior cladding, LIGNOLOC® wooden nails were used as a fully metal-free and corrosion-resistant fastening solution.

The Hjeltefjorden Arena is a new center for sports, swimming, and community activities in the northern part of Øygarden in Norway. The swimming facility represents the second phase of construction and opened in autumn 2020. It is complemented by a multipurpose hall and a newly designed park and activity area surrounding the existing pond on site.

The building blends harmoniously into the landscape with its clear architectural language and generous daylight openings. A modern swimming hall that unites architecture, daylight, and natural materials. For the interior cladding, LIGNOLOC® wooden nails were used as a fully metal-free and corrosion-resistant fastening solution.

Materiality & construction

The swimming hall is characterized by bright wooden surfaces that make a significant contribution to the room acoustics and the distinctive atmosphere of the facility. Extensive wooden interior cladding radiates a warm appearance and enhances the effect of the daylight entering through the characteristic roof slots.

At the same time, the chlorinated and permanently humid environment places high demands on material selection – particularly on the fastening of the interior cladding. Metallic fasteners reach their limits here, both technically and visually. For this reason, a fully metal-free wood-to-wood fastening solution with LIGNOLOC® wooden nails was chosen.

Project data

Project: Swimming Hall Hjeltefjorden Arena
Location: Rong, Norway
Client: Øygarden Municipality

Architects: Asplan Viak
Photo Credit: Sindre Ellingsen

Architecture & Natural light

Its south orientation, the steep roof, and the precisely placed light slots define the architectural character of the swimming hall. The openings extend across the entire roof volume, creating a bright and atmospheric interior – offering a view toward the sky.

The main pool measures 12.5 × 25 meters and is complemented by a children’s pool. The ceiling height above the diving area meets all normative requirements and is maintained along the length of the hall. Toward the north, the volume steps down, integrating the changing rooms harmoniously into the overall structure.

CHALLENGE: FASTENING IN A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT

Swimming halls are among the most highly corrosive indoor environments. Metallic fasteners are exposed to high humidity, chlorine vapor, and heat – conditions that promote material damage and functional degradation.

Visible screw heads or corrosion-related discoloration would not be compatible with the desired calm, pure wood aesthetic. In addition, acoustic panels and cladding elements must accommodate natural wood movement.

METAL-FREE FASTENING WITH WOODEN NAILS

LIGNOLOC® wooden nails were used for fastening the interior cladding – a completely metal-free solution ideally suited for humid and chloride-rich environments.

Several hundred square meters of profile boards and acoustic panels were installed using the LIGNOLOC® F60 nailer. The wooden nails create a durable wood-to-wood connection without visible fasteners or corrosion risks. Pre-drilling and full-surface gluing are no longer required, which reduces installation effort and construction time.

Especially in demanding applications, the LIGNOLOC® system shows its strengths: The unique interior cladding of the swimming hall places high requirements on both materials and fastening technology. Thanks to the metal-free LIGNOLOC® wooden nails, architectural solutions can also be realized in moisture-exposed environments – without thermal bridges, without any risk of corrosion, and with maximum design freedom.