Formally and in terms of its surface finish, the hall is a clearly defined volume and occupies a prominent position on the edge of the trade fair site in Dornbirn, Austria. Its elliptical cross-section was not the outcome of formal considerations alone. On the tight site area, the form allowed the requisite space to be maintained between the building and the road that runs past on one side. In view of the multiple uses foreseen for the hall, the compactness of the volume is also of great advantage in terms of building physics. In addition to hosting trade fairs and special events, the hall is designed to serve as an ice-skating arena during the winter months. Internally, the floor area or ice rink is enclosed on three sides by stands. The northern stand can be telescoped together as the need arises. The stands were designed with a maximum degree of transparency, so that the construction to the rear remains visible. Ancillary areas, such as the entrance zone, changing rooms and storage spaces, are housed in low-rise, flat structures around the periphery.