ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR
broad horizons and the bright sky, while simultaneously appearing as a martian landscape, mysterious and illusory. The overall environment stretches in large expanses and undulates; and the terrain of the mountains exists in a way that is sometimes open, sometimes huddled, and sometimes overlapping. As people move through the park, they drift, climb, and traverse the terrain. In the middle of park, there is a lake that has also been conceived as a sunken garden. Here, one’s line of sight looks straight out across the stillness of the water, offering the experience of an untouchable spiritual atmosphere as it reflects the mountains and the sky. Resembling a crater, the stadium sits into the ground, forming a deep space. It is crowned by a translucent “halo” that gently hovers above the ground like a floating cloud. Its proximity to the earth makes it seem within reach – close but untouchable – inviting people to engage in a dialogue between the earth and the sky, and discover spiritual truth. The adjacent rolling “hills” on the northeast side form the gymnasium, natatorium, and training centre. Above are public spaces and natural scenery that attract people to look up and pause in a moment of contemplation. The buildings in the park breakaway from that of traditional stadiums and athletic complexes that typically highlight structural power, transformed by a more intrinsic and subtle beauty. The interiors and exteriors of the buildings are connected to nature, providing an openness towards the landscape for people from anywhere, so that they always feel like they are immersed in nature. Pathways between the mountains and the lake meander over and through the architecture. They encourage people to slowly walk around the park, run along the trails, or just enjoy a seat on the lawn to take in the scenery. The “peaks” and “mountainsides” of several of the “hills” are designed with platforms or skylights that allow natural light to flood onto the interior, and provide natural ventilation through the buildings. The exteriors are covered in greenery, which while being energysaving, are also human-scale and accessible. They invite people to climb the “mountain”, walk along the “mountain” trails, and form a closer
“The relationship between man and nature is not only about ecology and sustainability, but it is also about spirit and mood. This is the culture and philosophy that has long existed in the history of this land and needs to be applied in the development of our future cities.”
– Ma Yansong, Founder of MAD Architects physical and emotional connection with heaven and earth. Quzhou Sports Campus abandons the traditional urban construction model of conventional large square landmarks. Drawing on land art and the natural landscape, it forms a unique urban space, one that is embedded in the spiritual understanding of the people, nature, and culture of the city. In the early stages of humankind entering
modern civilisation, the Olympics put forward the slogan: “faster, higher, s t ro n g e r ” . T h i s c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e challenges of conquering nature in the rapid development of our modern cities over the past century. As people move forward, the future of urban development has the potential to change and open up in new directions – towards a future where people pursue the harmonious relationship between man and nature.
PROJECT DATA Project Name: Quzhou Sports Campus Location: Quzhou, China Client: Quzhou West District Development Committee Architect Firm: MAD Architects Site Area: 699,040 square metres (Phase One: 327,370 square metres; Phase Two: 371,670 square metres) Completion: 2021 Images: ©MAD Architects
MAY-JUNE 2019 SEAB
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