Yuhang International Sports Center
The Yuhang International Sports Center project is located in the core area of the important new center of Hangzhou (central axis). The total investment in the project exceeds 9.5 billion yuan, with a total land area of approximately 261,000 square meters. It is planned to build ‘one stadium and two halls’ – a 60,000-seat professional football stadium, an 18,000-seat comprehensive gymnasium, a swimming pool, and related supporting facilities.
The Yuhang International Sports Center is designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Unlike the ‘impenetrable’ facades of most sports venues, the football field’s curtain wall of the sports center is open to the outside. The open design of the louvered facade blurs the boundaries between the interior and exterior, giving the building a solid appearance that resembles a layered geological structure.
The louvered windows ‘hide’ the terrace space that houses various dining establishments, while also preserving a panoramic view of the city. From a close distance, the detailed design and materials of the louvers give the venue a distinct layered and ‘heavy’ feel, reminiscent of natural landforms. From a distance, the louvered facade becomes transparent, connecting the public space beneath the ‘bowl-shaped’ stadium seating with the city.
The architectural design of the stadium draws inspiration from the characteristics of the Jing Mountain tea fields and the Liangzhu jade disc, featuring a streamlined shape that is elegant and smooth, resembling the movement of clouds and the rippling of waves. The top of the venue is covered by a lightweight cable membrane structure that spans nearly 200 meters over the seating area, with external spaces that are transparent and smooth like a jade wall. The exterior design of the venue complex aligns with the positioning of the sports center, reflecting the charm of Hangzhou while also maintaining an international flair.
