French studio Explorations Architecture have completed a sports hall in Tours, France, with a curving timber roof that sags in the middle.

The entire north facade of the Monconseil Sports Hall is glazed to maximise natural light, while timber batons shade the south facade from direct sunlight.

The suspended roof spans the 50 metre-wide hall, which can seat up to 700 spectators.

The building provides a venue for sports that include basketball, handball, volleyball and gymnastics.

Back in 2008, Explorations Architecture designed an entrance-pavilion for the Chateau de Versailles - see the story here.

Other public sports halls on Dezeen include one near Sydney with a steel shell exterior and another in California supported by exposed fir trusses - click here to see more stories relating to sports.

Photography is by Michel Denancé.

Here's a short description of the project from Explorations Architecture:

Monconseil Sports Hall by Explorations Architecture

Explorations architecture has just completed the Monconseil sports hall in Tours, 150km southwest of Paris.

This public building is exemplary of Explorations’ approach to sustainable design.

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The project emphasis is on natural light, the innovative use of natural materials and renewable energy:

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1. The northern facade is fully glazed in order to avoid the use of electrical lighting in the main hall.

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2. The composite suspended timber/steel roof spans close to 50m to allow for future uses.

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3. The southern facade is clad with a photovoltaic “brise-soleil” in order to reduce energy consumption from the grid.

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Design team: Explorations architecture + Integrale 4 engineers
Client: City of Tours
Brief: Sports hall (basketball, handball, volleyball, gymnastics) with 700 seating
Net Area: 2700 m²
Cost: 5m €
Timeframe: 2006-2011