As Norway’s most recognizable mountain, Oslo’s famous Holmenkollen now boasts a newly rebuilt ski jump, which has already been honored as the chosen site for the Nordic World Ski Championships. Already renovated 18 times since its opening in 1892, the old ski jump no longer met the requirements of the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS). Now, not only does the new Holmenkollen meet ISF regulations, but it also stands out as a modern architectural marvel. Designed to withstand harsh winds and symbolize the success of the Norwegian capital, the new Holmenkollen is clad with stainless steel woven metal mesh from GKD.
Julien de Smedt (JDS Architects) designed the new Holmenkollen as an HS 134 jump hill that balances both design appeal and functionality. A crucial element in the rebuilding process was meeting requirements that protect ski jumpers from harsh winds, the most common cause of ski jumping accidents. Designers used over 14,000 square feet of Sambesi light and PC-Sambesi mesh from GKD. A total of 315 units of Sambesi light, each measuring approximately 39 x 3 feet, were fitted to the exterior of the steel structure with round rods and eye bolts. An additional 130 units of PC-Sambesi rod mesh were tilted laterally and fitted in the steel structure on the inside of the jump platform, which allows for replacement or removal. A mesh size of 150 x 200mm in the area around the lamps facilitates the surface illumination of the mesh. Both the Sambesi Light and PC-Sambesi are designed for extreme wind loads.
Recognizing that jumpers aren’t the only ones who need protection from Oslo’s brutal wind and snow, architects also selected GKD’s mesh to protect the ski jump structure from harsh weathering. The durability of stainless steel woven metal mesh will enable the Holmenkollen ski jump to be a long-lasting and easily maintained structure.
In addition to its practicality, GKD’s mesh was also selected for its aesthetic appeal, flexibility and varied application options. The stainless steel mesh’s characteristic semi-transparency, combined with spotlights placed inside and on top of the jump tower, creates a magnificent visual effect. At night, the mesh, backlit from the inside, turns the arena into a hill of sparkling light.
Work on the new Holmenkollen began in 2009, and the ski jump was officially opened in time for the Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined World Cup in March 2010. An additional phase of construction will be completed in the fall of 2010, adding over 9,500 more square feet of mesh.