MAD Architecture Firm has unveiled its design proposal for the Shijiazhuang Cloud Sports Center.
Shijiazhuang, a city shaped by the railway construction in the early 20th century, began revitalizing its central business district (CBD) in 2018. This area, located in the old city center, retains several historic buildings that embody the city’s heritage and spirit, including the train station. With new urban planning and development, the Shijiazhuang CBD aims to become a vibrant, multi-dimensional urban living room that reflects the city’s history and character.
The Cloud Sports Center is situated in Central Park, in the northern section of the CBD, occupying roughly 6,000 square meters. The facility includes a gym, indoor tennis court, outdoor court, and commercial spaces. Surrounded by residential, office, retail, and dining establishments, Central Park offers a rare green oasis within the city.
MAD envisions the sports center not only as a place for physical activity but also as an extension of the park itself. The building’s exterior is wrapped in a translucent film material, creating a light, cloud-like effect that reflects the surrounding environment. Outdoor sports fields, gentle sloping green spaces, and other public amenities are thoughtfully arranged around the building, establishing a three-dimensional connection with the park.
To address underground ventilation challenges, several cooling towers have been integrated into the design, creating approximately 5,200 cubic meters of covered ground space. MAD’s innovative approach elevates these cooling towers to the second floor, forming an aerial activity space that envelops them. The roof’s first floor extends in four directions toward the park, partially covered with greenery, seamlessly blending the building with the natural urban landscape to create a vertical oasis.
The building’s upper two floors are clad in ETFE film with a metallic finish. This reflective material cleverly conceals the building’s mass and minimizes the visual impact of the cooling towers. The facade mirrors the urban environment and the bustling life of the city’s residents, transforming the sports center into a dynamic display of urban vitality.
A semi-outdoor staircase on the side facing Central Park allows visitors, even those not using the sports facilities, to ascend via resting platforms to a three-level observation deck, offering expansive views of the surroundings.
The top gym features a fully transparent glass curtain wall encircling the entire space, offering indoor fitness enthusiasts panoramic views of the city while they exercise.
The indoor tennis court connects directly to the underground commercial street and subway system. Its transparent glass facade floods the space with natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
The surrounding green slopes and second-floor platform act as a buffer between the building and the urban environment. A circular running track links the building seamlessly with Central Park, forming an integrated, multi-level outdoor space for sports, rest, and relaxation. This area includes outdoor sports fields, staircase plazas, and the rooftop observation decks.
Construction of the Shijiazhuang Cloud Sports Center began in March 2024 and is scheduled for completion in 2025.
Project Information
Type: Sports Center
Floor Area: Approximately 6,000 square meters
Building Area: 5,217 square meters
Ground Floor Area: 2,299 square meters
Underground Building Area: 2,918 square meters
Lead Partners: Ma Yansong, Party Masses, and Yokosuke Hayano
Lead Vice Partner: Li Jian
Design Team: Guo Xuan, Pan Siyi, Miao Fangyi, Lai Hanzhang, Deng Wei, Qiao Xuantong, Wang Fei, Wang Lei, Li Cunhao
Owner: Shijiazhuang Central Business District Development Co., Ltd
Architectural Design: MAD Architecture Firm
Grade A Design Institute: Northern Engineering Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Interior Design: MAD Architecture Firm, Hong Kong Yihui Commercial Design Co., Ltd
Landscape Consultant: SWA Group
Curtain Wall Consultant: Yinghaite Engineering Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd
Lighting Consultant: Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Co., Ltd
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