Excellence Centre receives international sports architecture and design award

The World Archery Excellence Centre has been awarded a prize for outstanding architecture and design by the International Olympic Committee and International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities. Launched in 1987, the award commends sports facilities of outstanding design and function.

Centre director Juan-Carlos Holgado was in Cologne, Germany with representatives from Tardin & Pittet Architectes to receive the silver prize.

The World Archery Excellence Centre, situated in the north of the Olympic capital of Lausanne, was opened in late 2016 to act as an international development hub for the sport of archery.

It runs archery camps, courses and hosts Olympic Solidarity-funded athletes, as well as serving the local community. Since opening its doors, it has delivered archery activities to more than 29,000 people. 

The Centre was one of 22 facilities – from a shortlist of 98 – to be recognised with an award during the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities general assembly.

Judges identified buildings or complexes that integrated sensible sustainability and legacy considerations, strong functional planning and exceptional architectural design. 

Ecologically friendly features of the World Archery Excellence Centre include geothermal heating, solar panels and natural cladding. It has purpose-built indoor and outdoor archery ranges, fitness facilities and lecture rooms.

The three-storey building is centred around an expansive central hall – with lighting and flooring specifically designed for the sport of archery – while retaining the flexibility to repurposed for other activities.

World Archery President Prof Dr Ugur Erdener said: “The World Archery Excellence Centre was envisaged as a flagship for sustainability and sport, as well as the foundation of archery’s development efforts.”

“We are immensely proud that the building has been recognised as a world leader in its design.”

The World Archery Excellence Centre is an award-winning sports facility and a dedicated hub for the development of archery in the Olympic capital of Lausanne.