dynamic flying roof planes by PAO float over sports arenas in rural yunnan

Pao’s Flying Tops Arenas blend tradition and innovative design

The Flying Tops Arenas are located in rural Yunnan and serve as cultural landmarks that blend tradition, community, and innovative construction. Designed by People’s Architecture Office, these structures support Competitive Top-Spinning, an ancient Chinese sport deeply rooted in Yunnan’s indigenous communities.

The arenas’ design takes inspiration from the sport itself, with dynamic roof planes resembling tops in motion. Each arena is tailored to its specific site. In Baima Village, the arena is situated at the village’s lowest point, ensuring visibility from all households. The descending roof planes create a visual link to the coffee fields below, while internally, they ascend to amplify the sounds of play.

The Qinkai Village arena, positioned along a sloping terrain near a main road, encourages gathering and social interaction. Its larger roof plane follows the landscape’s downward slope, while the smaller plane, covering the spectator area, lifts upwards to frame the mountainous backdrop, integrating the natural environment into the sporting experience.

baima village | all images courtesy of People’s Architecture Office

Flying Tops Arenas act as Community Hubs for social engagement

These arenas go beyond their function as sports venues, acting as hubs for community engagement. They promote healthier recreation and reduce excessive drinking through daily top-spinning activities. The arenas also provide training opportunities for regional and provincial competitions, fostering broader community exchanges.

Construction utilized locally sourced materials due to the remote location. The arenas employ common steel truss structures and local craftsmanship, measuring approximately 26 meters long, 18 meters wide, and 6 meters tall. Designed by the creative team at People’s Architecture Office and supported by the Leping Foundation, the Flying Tops Arenas exemplify resourceful construction and community cohesion.

Flying Tops Arenas are cultural landmarks in rural Yunnan designed by People’s Architecture Office | baima village

these structures support Competitive Top-Spinning, an ancient Chinese sport | baima village

the arenas’ design draws from top-spinning, with dynamic roof planes mimicking tops in motion | baima village

the Baima Village arena stands at the village’s lowest point for maximum visibility | baima village

the Qinkai Village arena is positioned along a slope near a main road to encourage social interaction | qingkai village

Qinkai’s larger roof plane follows the landscape’s downward slope | qingkai village

the smaller roof plane at Qinkai lifts upwards to frame the mountainous backdrop | qingkai village

construction used locally sourced materials due to the remote location | baima village

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game in progress (qingkai village)

view from interior of arena (qingkai village)

corner view (qingkai village)

corner view (qingkai village)

game in progress (qingkai village)

game in progress (qingkai village)

game in progress (qingkai village)

view from the arena towards mountains (qingkai village)

game in progress (qingkai village)

game in progress (qingkai village)

view of roofs (qingkai village)

aerial view (qingkai village)

entrance (baima village)

game in progress (baima village)

game in progress (baima village)

villagers watching a game (baima village)

villagers watching a game (baima village)

players on break (baima village)

game in progress (baima village)

game in progress (baima village)

villagers watching a game (baima village)

aerial view (baima village)

village view from a distance (baima village)

baima village exploded view

qingkai village exploded view

project info:

name: Flying Tops Arenas
architect: People’s Architecture Office | @peoplesarchitecture

principals: He Zhe, James Shen, Zang Feng

design team: Li Qiuwan, Wang Chengchen

partner: Leping Foundation

structural engineers: Liu Su – Beijing Shou’ang Architectural Structure Studio

floor plan design: Yuan Yingzi

graphic design: Yuan Yingzi

building area: 900 sqm

location: Baima Village and Qingkai Village, Yunnan, China

photography: People’s Architecture Office

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom