The new PGE Arena in Gdańsk - an architectural gem welcomes Europe for a celebration of football

GROHE water fittings are part of this imposing venue for EURO 2012

With its appearance reminiscent of a giant piece of glowing amber, the PGE Arena in Gdańsk is already widely considered the flagship venue of the upcoming EURO 2012. The arena completed in summer 2011 has captured the imagination of football supporters and design lovers alike. Its capacity of 44,000 means it is one of the largest and most imposing stadiums in Poland and its exceptional architecture makes it a real gem. The arena’s colour and shape are reminiscent of two essential elements which have coined the identity of the Polish port city of Gdańsk - Baltic amber and shipbuilding. While the filigree support structure resembles the hull of a ship, the polycarbonate facade and roof lend an air of transparency and lightness to the design as well as giving it a warm glowing appearance. All interior fittings are equally well thought-out and finished to the highest standards. It is therefore not surprising to see that GROHE products were specified for the sanitary facilities. Incidentally, the PGE Arena is not the only EURO 2012 venue to feature premium products from this global premium brand - water fittings from GROHE are in evidence at six out of the total eight stadiums.

Prestigious architecture with a strong symbolic meaning

Between June 8 and 22 three group-stage matches and one of the quarter finals will be played at the PGE Arena. The name refers to Polish energy company Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) which has secured the naming rights for the former Baltic-Arena. Set against the splendid backdrop of the Baltic sea, the 236 metre long, 203 metre wide and 45 metre tall building projects its imposing presence with a beautiful golden shimmer. Inside some 2,000 square metres of space are occupied by 40 VIP lounges as well as numerous restaurants, bars and shops catering to all gastronomic requirements. The port of Gdańsk and amber, the “Baltic gold”, have traditionally been the city’s most emblematic features. To combine both in a harmonious and balanced design, the German architectural firm of RKW Rhode Kellermann Wawrowsky Architektur + Städtebau used six differently stained module variants for the exterior surface. Their composition results in a fascinating colour effect which gives the structure the appearance of a gem polished by water, sand and wind. The green spectator seats reflect the city’s allegiance to Polish top division club Lechia Gdańsk who will make the new stadium their home ground after the conclusion of EURO 2012. In addition, the multifunctional arena will then also be used for concerts and other events.

High-quality water fittings to handle major events

Sanitary rooms frequented by large numbers of people require a far-sighted approach by planners and specifiers. Quality, longevity and ultra-low maintenance design were therefore the key criteria in specifying the sanitary fittings for the PGE Arena. These criteria are easily met by such GROHE products as the flexible and reliable Rapid SL installation system for WCs and urinals. Rapid SL adjusts to the most varied site conditions. A single-piece connection to the water supply allows for “total-free” installation and means fewer sealing points. The cistern incorporating a pneumatic drain valve offers three different flushing options, namely start/stop, single and dual flush. As the name suggests, the GROHE Rapid SL installation system is fast to install thanks to its QuickFix design and only two wall fixing points. GROHE EasyConnect means that a single plug-in hose connects the flushing plate with the flushing mechanism. To keep water consumption low and help conserve natural resources, the flushing volume can be reduced to 4.5 and 3 litres, respectively, assuming the toilet bowl is suitable for low-volume flushing. GROHE Whisper® Technology prevents annoying noise by decoupling the flushing system from the building structure. Last but not least, these GROHE systems have been independently tested for safety in terms of their load-bearing properties and installation. Their closed frame profiles ensure the highest levels of dimensional stability, resulting in a certified load-bearing capacity of 400 kg.

With GROHE water fittings on the team sheet, the PGE Arena is ready to welcome Europe’s finest footballers.

23.04.2012


For further information please contact:
Dr. Ulrike Heuser-Greipl
Senior Vice President Public & Investor Relations
Press Officer
Telephone: +49 (0) 211 9130 – 3001
E-mail: ulrike.heuser-greipl@grohe.com
Grohe Holding GmbH
Feldmühleplatz 15
40545 Düsseldorf
Germany

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