Badminton Training Center in Shenzhen,
design: MVRDV, Huayi Design
This year the esteemed Dutch studio MVRDV, in collaboration with Huayi Design, won a competition to design a Sports Park in Pingshan District, in the eastern part of China's Shenzhen.
The Sweet Spot - MVRDV, together with Huayi Design, has won a competition to design a Badminton Training Center in Shenzhen
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Multifunctional sports space
- from badminton to fitness
The complex is to consist of an arena for badminton and other sports, a new Chinese National Badminton Training Center, a National Fitness Center, a sports park open to the public, and various commercial facilities.
The Sweet Spot, a 240-meter rooftop shaped like the head of a badminton racket, will be the centerpiece of the complex
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Pingshan sports park
- a celebration of sports and passion
Many elements of the design were inspired by the number of badminton courts, of which there will be 100 throughout the complex. The name The Sweet Spot refers to a key concept in the sport, meaning the optimal point on the racket where strokes are most effective. In the context of the Badminton Training Center, the term symbolizes not only excellence and precision in the game, but also the goal of creating a space conducive to improving athletic skills.
The Sweet Spot - visualization
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Given the complex's program, it became clear that being at the Pingshan Sports Park should be a true celebration of sports, especially badminton. In designing The Sweet Spot, we took on the challenge of creating a fun and understandable concept that everyone could appreciate. At the same time, we made sure to solve this complex project in an efficient, sustainable and socially sensitive way
- says Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV
Badminton training center in Shenzhen - plan
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
The Sweet Spot
- a space for all sports lovers
The park is to be intersected by overpasses of three nearby highways, giving the project the shape of an irregular triangle. The dominant feature of the entire layout will be the main building, consisting of three structures - an arena and two courts: a warm-up and a practice court. Promenades will appear between them, creating a "T" shaped space, which, according to the architects, is to become the heart of the entire complex. In front of the main entrance to the arena, where the avenues intersect, this Sweet Spot plaza will be created.
The Sweet Spot - a longitudinal cross-section of the building
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
The Sweet Spot - the western part of the park includes badminton, basketball and soccer fields
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Below ground level will be spaces for sports research.
The two-story design of The Sweet Spot provides athletes with privacy while allowing public access to the complex - - -.
©MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries, Atchain
rocket head-shaped roof
- aesthetics and energy efficiency in one
A 240-meter-long, rocket-head-shaped roof will be supported on slender wooden pillars to provide a focal point for the park, combining functionality with aesthetics. Photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof, providing much of the energy used by the complex, and the grid-like structure will resemble the strings of a rocket. From a bird's eye view, the roof is to feature a T-shaped space.
The Sweet Spot - a bird's eye view of the main building
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Innovative grandstand
withviews of the entire park
On the west elevation, a ribbon-shaped storey "cornice" will partially recede, reaching the curb and creating a concave form. There will be a large grandstand overlooking the rest of the sports park, which includes numerous badminton, basketball and soccer courts.
A T-shaped promenade connects the arena, warm-up and practice courts to a central plaza 'sweet spot'
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
conical dart-shaped tower
To the south of the main building will be a 23-story tower. Its tapered, tapering shape was inspired by the form of an aileron. The resemblance will be reinforced by slats along the entire building, which will form the shape of aileron feathers at the top and bottom edges. The lower floors of the tower will house hotel rooms, while the upper floors will have suites for athletes. Right next door are two smaller commercial buildings, whose roofs will also take the shapes of rockets.
The 23-story tower, inspired by the shape of a dartboard, will offer hotel rooms and apartments for athletes
Atchain, Imperfct, MVRDV © MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Badminton training center in China
- A space for all lovers of movement and sports
The Sweet Spot in Pingshan district will become a place that allows participants of all ages and abilities to play, train and watch a wide range of sports, from badminton to basketball.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of the MVRDV studio.
