MVRDV was Selected to Design Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park in China with Huayi Design

MVRDV, in collaboration with Huayi Design, has successfully secured the design contract for Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park in Shenzhen, China, a multifaceted sports complex called The Sweet Spot that will become China’s National Badminton Training Centre. It is a bold project that combines a professional sports arena, a National Fitness Centre for the public and a commercial facility. The main theme of the design is badminton which is the reference throughout the complex. It can be seen from the architectural design itself, inspired by the head of a badminton racket, which can be seen from the shape of the 240-meter-long roof. It is also equipped with photovoltaic panels to utilize solar energy that can support the energy needs of the surrounding area. The roof lattice structure resembling the racket's strings provides a symbolic connection to badminton while enhancing the project's sustainability goals. MVRDV’s careful integration of design and environmental responsibility is key to the project’s success.

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain) 

The Sweet Spot design is at the heart of the main building that houses the arena, warm-up courts and training rooms.Rotterdam-based architects MVRDV connected these elements with walkways that create a T-shaped public area that is the heart of the sports complex. The simplicity of the design encourages direct visitor engagement in exploring the various sports facilities. The area, called the Sweet Spot, is positioned just outside the arena's main entrance. It is named Sweet Spot because it refers to the optimal hitting point in badminton.

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain)

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain)

Below the public walkway is the ground floor, which connects the various elements of the National Training Centre with a split-level design. This design prioritizes privacy for athletes, allowing them to move around the facility without public interference. This separation of spaces is essential in ensuring a balance between public accessibility and the specific needs of high-level athletes.

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain)

A 23-story tower tapered like a shuttlecock stands south of the main arena. This building is divided into two functions: hotel rooms on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floor for athletes to stay. This tower, with its strategic location, provides easy access and privacy needed for athletes through direct access to the private ground floor of the complex. Two smaller commercial buildings in the southeast of the location reflect the racket shape of the main arena, providing visual harmony to the overall composition of the building.

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain)

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain)

On the western side of the complex, a public walkway extends into a large terraced grandstand offering spectators a view of the sports park. The park features a variety of sports fields, including badminton, basketball, and soccer, providing recreational benefits to the local community. A separate National Fitness Centre is housed in a similarly racquet-style building but smaller than the main building. It will house tennis courts and an additional swimming center, providing the community with greater access to athletic opportunities. The design will incorporate outdoor sports facilities and the development of a green corridor under the Pingyan Expressway overpass, providing easy access to the skate park, mini basketball courts, and running tracks, creating an inclusive sports landscape for people of all ages and skill levels.

According to Jacob van Rijs, MVRDV's founding partner, Pingshan Sports Park should be a celebration of all sports and, most importantly, badminton. The design of The Sweet Spot is conceptualized as fun and easy for anyone by prioritizing efficient, sustainable, and social methods. The building is planned to further inspire enthusiasm and a healthy lifestyle with the presence of sports facilities that can also be an opportunity to promote health and social coherence.

Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park by MVRDV (cr: Atchain)