Integrated Sports Complex: Engineering Redefining Sustainable

Can sports arenas become sustainable economic engines instead of just financial burdens? This is the challenge faced by the Integrated Sports Complex in Xinchang. This ambitious project
embodies an integrated (1+N) model. This model addresses the sustainability of sports facilities in smaller cities.

Tower façade's glass and white horizontal bands create a fluid, shimmering motion against the sky. — The glass and metal façade interact as a continuous, wavelike motion, cleverly reflecting the surrounding [built environment] and natural contours.

Where the River Meets the Mountain: A Flowing Architectural Interface

Your experience with the Integrated Sports Complex begins at the entrance.The pivotal junction hosts the building. Major transport axes converge here. This establishes it as the city’s northern gateway. The design draws inspiration from the local landscape. Strong horizontal lines mimic the water’s flow. The extended architectural massing resembles the surrounding mountain topography. This harmony breaks the rigidity of traditional sports structures. It creates a lively and welcoming interface.

Red running track curves over the planted roof, integrating fitness with the surrounding urban context. — From an aerial angle, the [design] smoothly integrates green play areas with the fluid, undulating form of the white roof platform.

Vital Internal Pathways: The Atrium as an Urban Artery

Upon entering, you find the building is designed for daily life. The central atrium is the heart of the Integrated Sports Complex. This vast space functions as an internal urban street. It serves as the primary distribution system. It smoothly connects the complex’s five functional volumes. Pathways encourage continuous movement. Visitors navigate between retail outlets and restaurants. We integrated these directly with training halls and courts. This ensures the building remains a year-round, active magnet. This guarantees the success of the facility’s economic model. The public asset transforms into a sustainable community hub.

Extended white roof massing merges with mountains, as the glass tower rises to define the skyline. — The structural tower rises from a wide, horizontal base, emphasizing the functional [progression] between sports facilities and hospitality programs.

Stacking Efficiency: World-Class Facilities

The architecture of the Integrated Sports Complex demanded exceptional functional density. Sports, commercial, and hospitality facilities were cleverly stacked. This stacking meets international standards. It also provides a seamless visitor experience.

Main Arena: Seats 5,000 spectators.
Flexible Training Hall: Measures 7,900 square meters. It can be configured for 24 badminton courts or two tennis courts. The basement includes a gymnasium and a four-lane pool.
Table Tennis Hall: Measures 6,100 square meters. It features double-height spaces to optimize performance.

The complex also includes a ballroom and exhibition areas. It is completed by a soaring 19-story athlete hotel. This tower provides accommodation and acts as a prominent vertical landmark in the city skyline.

Luminous atrium allows daylight to flood the curved glass ceiling, guiding visitor movement and flow. — Natural [light] saturates the central concourse, creating an inviting movement path for both shoppers and athletes navigating the space.

Construction Techniques and Materials: The Foundation of Durability and Sustainability

The construction relied on a mix of materials and techniques. This ensures the vast facility’s durability and functional performance:

They employed reinforced concrete and steel structures in key sections. This guarantees the stability of the long-span roofs.
The team applied advanced facade cladding systems. Composite panels cover about 65% of the horizontal surfaces. This achieves the consistent, flowing aesthetic.
They integrated double glazed insulating glass into commercial and atrium spaces. This accounts for approximately 30% of the enclosure. This maximizes natural light while reducing heat load.
They blended green and locally sourced materials into the interior design. These materials exceeded 10% of the finishes. This supports sustainability and reduces transport carbon emissions.

This mix solidifies the position of the Integrated Sports Complex. It is a leading model for urban development. It successfully integrates daily life and athletic activity into the urban fabric.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Integrated Sports Complex exemplifies functional design within the context of decentralized urban expansion. The extended, low-profile architectural massing, inspired by the surrounding mountains and water, demonstrates an attempt to integrate a vast facility (121,132 m²) into the natural landscape rather than imposing upon it. The central atrium, operating as an internal urban street, provides a critical approach to addressing sustainability challenges, ensuring continuous linkage between commercial and sports functions. However, the repeated use of landscape metaphors can be seen as a familiar design solution. The project’s true value lies in its success in achieving operational sustainability, transforming the Integrated Sports Complex from a seasonal financial burden into a year-round community and economic anchor, setting a new standard for infrastructure in smaller cities.