Imagine this: At the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, you were seated in the Santa Giulia Arena, witnessing an epic ice hockey showdown. In overtime, a dramatic game-winning goal sealed a 2-1 finish, etching history in front of a roaring crowd of fans from around the world — cheers, gasps, and pure excitement filling the air. Yet that unforgettable Olympic moment unfolded in perfectly cool, precise, and whisper-quiet conditions — no drafts, no stuffiness, no distractions stealing the spotlight. Weeks later, the same venue transforms into a sold-out concert arena: crowds pulsing, lights flashing — yet the air remains fresh, breathable, and comfortable for everyone.

How does this versatile multi-purpose arena (77,000 m², 16,000 seats, 8 floors) seamlessly handle the extreme low-temperature demands of Olympic ice hockey and the high-heat, high-density challenges of concerts? Especially now, when the HVAC industry faces pressing pain points: soaring energy costs, tightening low-GWP refrigerant regulations, and the growing need for smart, efficient ventilation in adaptable large-scale buildings.

The answer lies behind the scenes: 210 ebm-papst RadiPac 3C centrifugal fans, arranged in five intelligent FanGrids.

► Ice hockey mode: Intelligent variable-speed control reduces airflow for precise temperature stability and ultra-quiet operation, letting athletes stay fully focused.

► Concert mode: Instantly ramps up fresh air volume to handle peak crowd density and maintain superior indoor air quality.

 Image 1: To achieve optimal ventilation, 210 RadiPac C fans are distributed across five FanGrids. (Image source: SAMP)

Combined with 4,000 rooftop solar panels, the venue is quietly advancing toward low-carbon comfort. As project manager Gabriele Treccani put it: “Like the arena itself, the ventilation systems must adapt individually to every event.”

At Beijing Hengrui — a long-term core authorized distributor of ebm-papst — we specialize in delivering high-efficiency, low-noise, energy-saving fan solutions for ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and major public building projects. We’ve supported numerous iconic developments and stay closely tuned to international best practices, always ready to share localized application insights with peers.

What’s the toughest temperature control or fresh-air switching challenge you’ve faced in your projects? Sports arenas, theaters, data centers, or other large public facilities? Drop a comment below — let’s exchange ideas on building smarter, greener ventilation systems to meet today’s demands!