Students and staff of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Brno University of Technology had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most significant construction projects currently underway. Over the course of three site visits, they toured the construction site of the multifunctional ARENA BRNO hall, which offers a unique opportunity to observe cutting-edge structural, technical, and technological solutions in practice.

The excursion carried particular significance and added value: the Faculty of Civil Engineering at BUT is directly involved in the construction of ARENA BRNO through its experts. In addition to FAST graduates, the project involves the Head of the Institute of Building Services, Aleš Rubina, as well as Vice-Dean Tomáš Apeltauer, who works on modelling occupant evacuation and escape scenarios. The results of these simulations serve as input for adjustments to fire safety design and for optimizing the safety of future operation.

The Faculty of Civil Engineering at BUT has long been committed to ensuring that students do not acquire only theoretical knowledge during their studies, but can also confront it with real-world practice. The city is currently undergoing intensive development with a number of major construction projects, with ARENA BRNO among the most prominent.

There was exceptional interest in the excursions among both students and staff. After the registration form was published, all available slots across the three dates were filled very quickly. The excursions were organized under the supervision of Vice-Dean Zdeněk Dufek.

Special thanks go to Aleš Rubina, who personally guided each group and provided an engaging expert commentary focused in particular on indoor environmental systems within the arena. Students were thus able to observe directly on site how theoretical knowledge from building services engineering is applied in the design of such a large and technologically demanding structure.

“In hockey mode, approximately one million cubic metres of conditioned air will circulate through the arena, supplied by several dozen independent air-handling units,” explains Rubina. These systems also include specialized technologies designed to create distinct microclimates within different parts of the building – with different conditions required for spectators in the stands and for the area directly above the ice surface.

During the visit, students were introduced to the principles of HVAC design, cooling and heating systems, rooftop heat pump installations, and measures aimed at preventing vibration transmission into the structural system.

“At ARENA BRNO, it becomes clear how complex the design of indoor environments in such facilities really is. It is not just about heating or cooling. It requires coordinating many interconnected systems so that they function as a single integrated whole. For students, it is valuable to see that even seemingly minor decisions or details can influence the overall performance of the building,” says Aleš Rubina.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit parts of the future facilities of the arena, commentary booths, and spaces beneath the roof where the multimedia cube will be suspended. The excursion therefore offered not only a technical insight into the design of the building, but also a unique chance to see spaces that will later serve sporting, cultural, and social events.

Such excursions are an important part of education. They allow students to see that civil engineering is not only about drawings, calculations, and models – it is above all a field that shapes cities and creates buildings with a long-term impact on public space and everyday life. ARENA BRNO is a clear example of a contemporary building that civil engineering students in Brno should experience firsthand.