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Experts in Sports Facilities
We are a group of experts and specialists in the design of various categories of sports and recreational facilities, and our contributions are made on a voluntary basis.
We are part of the world’s leading organization for sports and leisure facilities, where knowledge is shared in design, planning, industry, and management.
IAKS promotes the planning and implementation of high-quality and sustainable sports facilities.
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Our members take part in national and international congresses and forums, where they share experiences with professionals in the field, fostering future collaborations.
If you’re passionate about sports facilities, we invite you to join IAKS! The network is open to the participation of any professional, public or private entity involved in the construction of sports facilities.
We are independent professionals and companies with no commercial interests.
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Our Mission
Promoting Health, Sport, Physical Activity, and Play
We believe that sports facilities should be accessible and inclusive for everyone, promoting health, sport, physical activity, and play, all of which enrich the lives of individuals and communities.
We advocate for sustainable sports facilities—in sporting, social, economic, and energy terms. That’s why we believe in the importance of solid management projects and high-quality architecture and technology that respond to both user needs and operational demands.
Our goal is to design and build high-quality sports facilities and to provide the tools needed to avoid creating “white elephants”—facilities that fall into disuse or become unsustainable.
The most effective way for IAKS to support professionals across all sectors involved in sports architecture is by sharing knowledge at every level of public and private sports infrastructure policy.
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In 1969, Frieder Roskam introduced IAKS during a "Sports Architecture" seminar in Madrid. At that time, Spain was just beginning to build sports facilities and sought inspiration from international best practices.
A key milestone came in 1974 with the “First Colloquium on Sports Architecture” in Bilbao. Around 80 professionals—architects, builders, and pioneering sports facility managers—gathered to share knowledge and visit new sports complexes. The event was pivotal, as many attendees would later shape Spain’s democratic sports policies.
Despite legal hurdles during the dictatorship, efforts to form a dedicated association continued. In 1976 and 1977, major symposia in Madrid on public swimming pools and sports halls attracted hundreds, reflecting the country’s growing interest in modern, functional sports infrastructure.
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In 1979, with democracy on the horizon, the “Spanish Association for Work on Sports and Recreational Facilities” (AETIDE) was founded. Entirely self-funded and volunteer-driven, AETIDE organized seminars, study tours, and published practical standards and a 64-page magazine. Membership grew rapidly to over 500, including professionals from Latin America.
Spain's presence at the Cologne Trade Fair expanded dramatically—by 1983, it was the largest international group after Germany. Though discussions to formally create a Spanish IAKS section didn’t materialize, AETIDE played a crucial role in uniting forward-thinking professionals during a transformative time for Spanish sport.
As regional governments formed after the democratic transition, AETIDE's leaders took key roles in shaping local sports infrastructure - and the association gracefully concluded its mission.
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Firstname
Silke
Lastname
Baltzer
Function
Event and membership management
+49 (0) 221 168023-11
baltzer@iaks.sport