Vibrant Tianjin 4A Sports Park Enlivens the Busy City

A brightly colored park enlivens Tianjin, China's seventh-largest city. Among the tall buildings, Ballistic Architecture Machine (BAM)'s Tianjin 4A Sports Park shines, breaking the monotony of the surrounding high-rises.

A vibrant park breaking the monotony of Tianjin’s high-rises (cr: Wu Qingshan)

Park as a recreational urban space (cr: Wu Qingshan)

In this project, BAM tries to rethink the role of parks in dense cities. According to him, people tend to think of parks and public spaces as green spaces, but what people actually need are recreational spaces that can connect them with nature. Therefore, this park was designed as a multi-purpose play area.

Multi-purpose play area (cr: Wu Qingshan)

Colorful design (cr: Wu Qingshan)

The site is a historical area once a temple and a small town called Yixing. Its existence has been lost since its relocation during the construction of the China Grand Canal. BAM then put forward a design idea based on the old city plan to restore the important historical past of the old city and connect it with the needs of modern society through a very contemporary design.

Four-quadrant area (cr: Wu Qingshan)

Fountain in the plaza (cr: Wu Qingshan)

The area is generally divided into four quadrants with two axes perpendicular to each other. The first central axis is a circulation pavement that extends from southeast to northwest connecting surrounding residential communities and the subway. The other axis is a large square open to various activities and events. This plaza is also equipped with fountains.

Sports facilities (cr: Wu Qingshan)

The play quadrant (cr: Wu Qingshan)

The first quadrant on the north side focuses on sports facilities. The east side has a culinary quadrant with a beer garden and outdoor dining area. Next to it is a play quadrant with a play environment and water features. Finally, the quadrant on the west side is designed as four mazes that offer different experiences to explore: water, hedges, land, and wood. The maze is designed to remind us of the winding streets of the ancient city of Yixing.

The maze (cr: Wu Qingshan)

Interactive features (cr: Wu Qingshan)

Tianjin 4A Sports Park is a project that applies many layers to public spaces: multifunctional spaces, activity zoning, green plants, street furniture, interactive installations, and dynamic and fun design. This vibrant park is a thought-provoking idea of ​​public space and its relationship to society, nature, and history with the boundaries of contemporary landscape, architecture, and the city.