MAD has released the design proposal for the Shijiazhuang Cloud Sports Center.

Shijiazhuang, a city that developed around the railway construction in the early 20th century, began the redevelopment and planning of its Central Business District (CBD) in the heart of the old city in 2018. A series of historic buildings, including the train station, which bear witness to the city’s development and spirit, have been preserved. Alongside the new urban planning and architecture, the Shijiazhuang CBD will become a dynamic urban living room that reflects the city's history and character.

The project is located in the northern part of the CBD, within Central Park, covering an area of approximately 6,000 square meters. It includes a gym, indoor tennis courts, outdoor courts, and supporting commercial spaces. With surrounding areas primarily consisting of residential, office, commercial, and dining establishments, Central Park has become a rare oasis within the city.

MAD envisions the sports center, located within the park, not only as a place for people to exercise but also as an extension of the park itself. The exterior of the building is wrapped in translucent membrane material, transforming it into a lightweight "cloud" that reflects the surrounding environment. Public spaces such as the outdoor courts and gently sloping green areas, which are open to the public, are cleverly arranged around the building, seamlessly integrating with the park’s three-dimensional layout.

To address the underground ventilation issue in the area, several cooling towers create approximately 5,200 cubic meters of ground-level obstruction. MAD’s design cleverly elevates the cooling towers to the second floor, surrounding them with an elevated activity level. The roof of the first floor extends in four directions to the park interface, partially covered with greenery, seamlessly connecting the building with the urban natural environment, forming a three-dimensional oasis.

The exterior of the second and third floors is clad in ETFE membrane material with a metallic finish. Through the reflection of the surrounding environment on the membrane, the building’s volume is significantly diminished, while also addressing the visual obstruction caused by the cooling towers. The cityscape and public activities are reflected on the building’s façade, transforming the sports center into a display interface for urban life.

A semi-outdoor staircase is located on the side of the building adjacent to Central Park. Even citizens who do not use the sports facilities can walk through the staircase, passing by rest bars along the way, and ascend to the third-floor observation deck for panoramic views.

The gym on the top floor features a 360° surrounding glass curtain wall. Citizens exercising indoors can enjoy the surrounding city views while working out.

The indoor tennis courts are connected to the underground shopping street and subway, with transparent glass curtain walls that bring in natural light.

The green slopes surrounding the building and the second-floor platform act as a buffer between the building and the city. The circular running track integrates the building with Central Park, while outdoor spaces such as the tennis courts, stepped plaza, and rooftop observation deck form a dynamic, tiered space for outdoor exercise, relaxation, and leisure.

Shijiazhuang Cloud Sports Center
Shijiazhuang, China
2021 – 2025

Type: Sports Center
Site Area: Approximately 6,000 sqm
Building Area: 5,217 sqm
Above-Ground Area: 2,299 sqm
Underground Area: 2,918 sqm

Principal Partners: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
Lead Associate 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
Lead Design Institute: North China Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: MAD, Hong Kong Yiwei Commercial Design Co., Ltd.
Landscape Consultant: SWA Group
Curtain Wall Consultant: Afa Architectural Design Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant: Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Co., Ltd.