A new padel center, Padel Arena, opened in Östersund, Sweden in spring 2022. Ruukki supplied the pre-fabricated wall elements, Ruukki® Patina sandwich panels with a Cor-Ten® steel surface, for the sports hall. Padel Arena is the first building to have Ruukki Patina panels.

Cor-Ten steel has long been used in the façades of buildings and Ruukki Patina panels mean it is ready in the façade cladding. Cor-Ten steel acquires a natural patina over time and revitalizes the look of a building.

Architect Elin Pantzare, who designed Padel Arena in Östersund, says that sports and industrial buildings are typically large complexes with few windows. When panels are used in large quantities, the building risks appearing monotonous and expressionless. This is especially true when economy and timeline efficiency are required.

Impressive look from the outset

“The natural color of Patina panels changes and the use of another product in part of the façade allowed us to break the monotonous look. The building has been given a “waist” of perforated steel sheets, a protruding element, which creates a variation in depth and texture,” says Elin Pantzare.

Elin Pantzare first visited the Padel Arena construction site at the end of October 2021.

“The sports hall’s walls were already up at the time and the surface had begun to acquire a patina. The façade was already attractive before patination, when the panels were steel throughout – really neat, even then,” enthuses Elin Pantzare.

Elin Pantzare says that the look of the building has a certain military bearing, the powerfulness of which slightly took her aback.

Building blends into its surroundings

Padel Arena is surrounded by a Scots pine forest, and the color of the tree trunks and the brown of the Patina panels are as if from the same palette. This is why Padel Arena has become an element combining the natural surroundings and an industrial area. Design of the building was based on its suitability and respect for the surroundings.

“Having seen the completed building, I can say that it acts as a bridge, a link between nature and the industrial park. It is well suited to the environment and when the façade color acquires a deeper patina, it will blend in even better with the Scots pine forest plot,” enthuses Elin Pantzare.

Extra properties, less stress

Unlike color-coated panels, Ruukki Patina panels are not sensitive to minor surface damage since the material repairs itself.

Patina panels have a matte surface, which is an advantage from the safety aspect. The location of Padel Arena in Östersund next to a major road ruled out the use of reflective materials.

Elin Pantzare says that as far as architects are concerned, use of Ruukki Patina panels involves no extra inconvenience or problems. The panels can be integrated into plans in just the same way as any other panels.

“The thing to keep in mind is that one Cor-Ten surface should not touch another, but needs to be kept apart. We don’t need to worry about this because Ruukki has solved the problem for us in its façade system."

Elin Pantzare is pleased with the outcome and there were even some positive surprises:

“Such quick patination of the surface was a pleasant surprise for an impatient architect."

Area Arkitektur has already designed another sports hall, currently under construction in Solna in north Stockholm, using Ruukki Patina panel cladding. This can be considered a good rating for Ruukki’s new product.

Padel has become a form of social interaction and networking. Opened officially in late winter 2022, Padel Arena in Östersund has six padel courts and facilities include a shop, café, sauna section and conference facilities. The floor area is 1,860 m², of which an area of 300 m² serves as a two-story entrance lobby. LRD Fastigheter AB owns the property owner and Padel Arena Östersund AB runs the business side.