Quzhou Sports Park, a sculptural complex at one with nature
The year 2022 was marked by the completion of the Quzhou Sports Park in China’s Zhejiang Province, the largest earth-sheltered structure ever built. Led by MAD Architects’ founder Ma Yansong, the project spans nearly 700,000 sqm and fluidly integrates into the surrounding landscape neighbored by a mountain range and nestled among dense forests. The centerpiece of the expansive sports park takes shape as a sculptural stadium, emerging from the rolling ground as an open-air and sinuous volume. You can learn more about the project’s nature-inspired aesthetic by visiting designboom’s full 2022 coverage.
image by Aogvision | all images © MAD Architects
watch mad architects’ ma yansong discuss his unique design
In a recent conversation with Archdaily, Ma Yansong (see more here) discusses the concept behind his sculptural design for the Quzhou Sports Park. While conceived as a monumental landmark, the stadium doesn’t take on an invasive quality; instead, thanks to a series of voids and openings, the architecture injects breathability and open space into its context.
‘I think I consider this space a void in this new town because we often talk about objects, functions, those positive things, but I also think architecture can be negative, can be a void, can be space. We want the architecture to disappear. We need a space for people to have a moment to dive into another dimension of space and time. So I want this space to be very engaging and inviting,’ shares Yansong.
image by CreatAR Image
Beyond avoiding an invasive design, the architect also made sure to convey a sense of surrealism and pleasant ‘artificiality’. As he explains in the video, visitors only get a peek at the white steel roof structure when approaching the stadium, evoking a floating cloud atop green mountains. However, this sense of lightness gradually shifts and transforms as one accesses the interiors of Quzhou Sports Park. ‘[…]when you enter the building, you will find structure inside the mountains, underneath the green. I imagine those spaces to be very strong, very heavy. I find this is a discovery process,’ reflects the architect.
Watch the video above to learn more about Ma Yansong’s poetic vision for the stadium.
image by CreatAR Image
image by Arch Exist
image by CreatAR Image
image by CreatAR Image
image by CreatAR Image
