gerkan marg and partners completes net-like basketball stadium in china

gerkan marg and partners completes net-like basketball stadium in china
all images courtesy of GMP arkitekten

architects von gerkan, marg and partners (GMP) has constructed a basketball stadium in the southern chinese city of dongguan. the site of the complex is visible from the rounded base it rests on and provides a visual landmark in the growing district of liabo. surrounded by extensive parkland which mimics the shape of the volume, extensive green areas and curved pathways along water features are positioned around the stadium for recreational and leisure activities. with the primary function catering toward the sport of basketball,  the building can also be used for other events and has space for nearly 15,000 visitors. the inspiration behind the design was based of the ball-game. for example, the overall form of the circular ring is reminiscent of a basketball hoop with a string like façade that is attached similar to the net. the typical orange color of the ball appears behind the net-like façade and is also carried in the interior design. a cable network webs between the roof and floor, consisting of triangular panels with insulating glazing to diffuse light. acting as the venue for one of the most successful chinese basketball teams, the ‘dongguan leopards’, the building hopes to increase the popularity of the game.

the stadium illuminated at night around the landscape and waterways

the rounded hill of the site furthers the visual landmark of the complex

a steel roof structure of the stadium with a diameter of 157 meters and 28 suspended ribbons creating a lattice framing  

the interior of the stadium bends around the circular space

the triangular lattice façade diffuses natural light

façade detail

interior seating hosts up to 15,000 attendees

 
masterplan 1:1000

 floor plan 1:100

 
sections

project info:

competition: 2006 – 1st prize
design: meinhard von gerkan and stephan schütz with stephan rewolle
project manager: katina roloff
scheme design team: yang li, linda stannieder, yin chao jie, cao ping, marlene törper, zhou bin
detailed design team: cao ping, yang li, yin chao jie, jenny thia, andreas maue, pan xin, matthias wiegelmann, johannes erdmann, clemens döhler, sun lulu, artur platt, zhou bin, li ling
structural design: sbp – schlaich bergermann and partners, stuttgart
chinese partner: practice cabr
client: dongguan civil construction administration office
ground floor area: 60,600 m²
seats: 14,730
construction period: 2009–2014