URBANUS' new gymnasium in china blurs the spatial boundaries between sports and leisure

A GYM inspired by MOUNTAINS

shenzhen and beijing-based architecture studio URBANUS has completed a new university gymnasium in a subdistrict of shenzhen, china. the design takes cues from the surrounding mountain landscape and accommodates a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities.

like the landscape, the ‘gymnasium of south university of science and technology’ stretches out horizontally while multi-level platforms, ramps, bridges, and hiking trails snake around the 7,000 site, creating a series of outdoor running routes that mimic the natural shape of the hills. the design avoids the closed form of conventional gymnasiums and instead establishes the sports spaces as flexible areas that allow people to exercise in various ways.

images courtesy of ZTP vision

a huge roof creates a dynamic look to the exterior 

a huge roof asymmetrically stretches down the rock, creating a dynamic look, giving the feeling that it hovers in the air. a large eave expands to the west, providing a shady space protecting visitors from the hot climate conditions. meanwhile, a large tribune supported by a V-shaped concrete structure leads to the playground. as the tread is devoid of risers, the space under the stands can function as an informal sports area, generating a connecting link between the indoor and outdoor gymnasium.

the structure is designed this way to be able to expand if needed, incorporating into the plan additional open sports spaces. the main structure of the building is made of a concrete frame and a steel structure roof, which encompass the central stadium space. the main venue spans 44 meters in width, while it employs a transparent form on the north and south sides, revealing the mountain scenery to the interior.

‘through the landscape platform, students run from the outdoor athletic field to the 4.2m elevation floor to watch the outdoor athletic events. if they move forward, they can reach the 7.2m elevation audience entrance floor and enter the indoor space to watch the competition. if you continue walking upward, you will reach the sky gymnasium (elevation 12.8m), which is wrapped in a cross-steel truss structure and elevated above the stadium,’

mentioned the architects.

a new ultimate jogging experience

people can watch competitions while exercising, enhancing the interaction between different sport venues. the connected aerial looping track extending 150 meters continuously alternates between the stadium and the lounge, forming different space explorations and a new jogging experience. those who want to continue exercising further can also walk from the runway to the outdoors through the mountaineering exit, reaching the mountain jogging track or the landscape stairs, and finally return to the starting point to finish a closed sports space circuit.

view from west

outdoor landscape steps

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aerial night view

view from southwest

 

main entrance platform

entrance space on the first floor

view of indoor playground from main entrance

indoor gym

indoor loop track

view of indoor playground from indoor loop track

project info:

architect: urbanus

client: south university of science and technology | shenzhen public works bureau
location: south university of science and technology of china, xili town, nanshan district, shenzhen
design: 2010-2016
construction: 2016-2019
site area: 7,000 sqm
floor area: 9,735 sqm

principle architect: meng yan

2010-2014：
project general manager: zhang changwen
project manager: lin yilin
project architect: zhou yalin
team: xiong jiawei, hu zhigao, chen lansheng, ai yun, kong qianjun | huang yihong (landscape) | yao dianbin (technical director) | wu fan (internship)

2016-2019：
project general manager: lin yilin, jiang ling
project manager: jiang qingzhou
project architect: you donghe(architecture) | wei zhijiao (landscape)
team: xie shengfen, shen chen, chen xuesong (architecture) | wang jin, tang weijun, li congyi, gao yufeng (landscape) | han ke, liu yunong, ma ziqian, luo pan, zhang cheng, wu ziyi, zhang mingying (internship)

collaborators: shenzhen institute of building research co., ltd. (LDI)
photographers: ZTP vision