At Shaoxing University, the Hexi Indoor Sports Field redefines the relationship between urban spaces and human activity. Designed by UAD architects, it embodies a vision where buildings do more than serve functional needs; they also stimulate and participate in the life of the city.
The Hexi Indoor Sports Field Technical Information
- Architects: UAD | The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University
- Location: Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Topics: Sports Centers
- Area: 23,120 m2
- Project Year: 2019 – 2022
- Photographs: © Zhao Qiang
We seek to create a symbiotic system integrated with people, buildings and cities. The existence of humans and events based on human behaviors will profoundly shape the appearances of buildings and cities. Architecture is not only a container for behaviors, but also a stimulus of the occurrence of various behaviors, endowing space with spontaneous vitality and flexibility.
– Dong Danshen, UAD Design Director
The Hexi Indoor Sports Field Photographs
Urban Integration and Public Interaction
Located in the northwest corner of the campus, adjacent to the historic streets of Shaoxing, the sports field is strategically placed to serve both the university and the local community. Dong’s design philosophy centers on creating spaces that are not just physically accessible but are integrated into the fabric of urban life. This project explores the symbiotic relationship between the campus, the city, and its inhabitants, fostering a shared communal space where boundaries blur between the academic and the urban.
Architectural Strategy: Overlapping Spaces
In response to the challenge of limited urban space, the design ingeniously overlaps various sports facilities. A large football field doubles as a super-sized roofed area, creating an ‘elevated floor’ that hosts multiple sports activities. This elevated platform optimizes space and serves as a new type of public arena, reminiscent of the shaded retreats found in urban landscapes, where people gather and socialize, shielded from the elements.
A Fusion of Form and Function
The structure’s architectural form responds to its multifunctional nature. Arches and curved beams define the building’s motif, crafting an aesthetic that is both dynamic and fluid. The use of simple materials and rustic themes allows the complex to blend seamlessly into the old city’s backdrop, providing a durable setting adaptable to the changing seasons and times.
The lower level, open and exposed, serves as an all-weather communal space. It hosts basketball and volleyball courts, a 50m track, and venues for extreme sports, inviting people of all ages to engage and interact. The center of the elevated floor accommodates climate-sensitive activities like badminton and martial arts, strategically separated by walls that enhance the site’s flexibility and accessibility.
Enhancing Connectivity
A key feature of Dong’s design is the lack of clear boundaries between different functional zones within the sports field. This encourages free movement and interaction, which is vital for fostering a community spirit. Pathways and connections are carefully planned to create a natural flow throughout the space, with ramps wrapped in white perforated aluminum to facilitate movement between areas.
Rest areas, viewing seats, and interactive spaces wrapped in warm wooden materials offer cozy enclaves for spectators and participants to share experiences and support one another. Meanwhile, natural elements are thoughtfully integrated, ensuring the indoor environment remains light, airy, and healthy. Curved columns echo the forms of roadside trees, creating a seamless blend of architecture and nature.
The Hexi Indoor Sports Field Plans
The Hexi Indoor Sports Field Image Gallery
About UAD
Founded in 1953, The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd. (UAD) originated from the Architectural Design Studio of Zhejiang University. As one of the earliest Class-A design institutes in China’s key universities, UAD champions creating a “Harmonious Environment” with a “Global Vision.” UAD integrates teaching, research, and creation under a commitment to excellence, professionalism, and powerful impact. Guided by the “Balance Architecture” theory, UAD has produced numerous innovative, high-end projects across various disciplines, earning over 1500 awards, including national and international design accolades.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Design Director: Dong Danshen, Mo Zhoujin
- Architectural Design: Mo Zhoujin, Su Renyi, Qu Jie, Jiang Yajing, Lu Zhaoyang
- Structural Design: Jin Zhenfen, Wu Qiang, Li Shaohua
- Plumbing Design: Sang Songbiao
- Electrical Design: Xu Songjie, Feng Baile, Deng Zhouning
- Intelligent Design: Ni Gaojun, Ma Jian
- HVAC Design: Pan Dahong, Yi Kai, Mao Xikai
- Curtain Wall Design: Bai Qi’an, Cao Dongqiu, Yu Ping, Ge Minxia
- Interior Design: Chu Ran, Kong Xiang
- Landscape Design: Sun Dongming, Lou Xuantan
- Project Owner: Shaoxing University
