Sports Center of Zhang Village River Park  

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Situated on the south bank of the Zhang Village River in Qingdao, the sports center is a multi-program complex designed as a spatial mediator between the city and the river. The architecture bridges the transition between two distinct scales: the dynamic urban fabric of the city routes and the serene openness of the parkland. To achieve this balance, a prominent 100-meter facade anchors the building to the urban grid, while the volumes gently recede toward the riverbank. This strategic shift softens the structure's scale, transforming a large facility into an inviting presence that welcomes park visitors. The result is a harmonious integration where the energy of sport meets the tranquility of nature, inviting people to linger and engage along the riverside promenade.

The building incorporates a series of terraces that define the interaction between the architecture and the surrounding landscape. The central core accommodates the exercise halls, which are fully enclosed to provide an optimal environment for athletic activities. These enclosed areas are balanced by open terraces—ranging from small balconies to expansive rooftop playgrounds—that offer visitors fresh air and views of the river. By functioning as elevated public spaces, these terraces extend the park's accessibility into the building. This integration is further reflected on the west side, where the sequence of playing fields continues upward into the building’s volume.

The complex vertically organizes its diverse programs, accommodating high-volume spaces such as a natatorium, badminton and basketball halls, and a gymnasium with integrated retail areas. A cafeteria is positioned on the top floor, offering panoramic views of the river park. To enhance the complex's legibility, each function is assigned to a distinct volume, defined by its unique form and color. By maintaining an open-air ground floor, the building allows the park to flow through, enabling visitors to maintain the rhythm of their leisurely strolls and jogs. This accessibility is further extended by a network of stairs and passages that weave vertically through the building, guiding visitors toward the sports facilities and terraces, harmonizing the center with the park through the natural movement of its users.

Metal curtains envelop the main facades, creating a semi-transparent veil that softens the scale of the complex while maintaining its geometric clarity. Internally, these curtains softly filter the sunlight, creating a tempered environment ideal for athletic activities. As night falls, the building transforms into a luminous presence; internal lights and colors glow through the facade, projecting a sense of vitality into the surrounding urban fabric.

Schematic Design Year: 2023 - 2025

Project Location: Qingdao

Gross Built Area: 20000㎡

Architects: Bastien Bai Li, Elise Xuan Li

Landscape Architects: Lili Liu, Shenhua He, Jingjing Shi (LDG)     

Structure Consultant: Binhui Huang       

Awards: DNA Paris Design Awards 2025    WINNER    Architecture - Educational & Sports

             Global Future Design Awards    Gold Award Winner    Sports Architecture (Concept)

             World Design Awards    WINNER    Sports Design Concept

             Archello Awards    Longlisted    Unbuilt Leisure Project of the Year

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