The 2023 Prix Versailles (UNESCO's "Versailles" World Architecture and Design Award) announced its winners. The Quzhou Stadium, designed by MAD, was awarded the "Global Best Sports Architecture."

The UNESCO "Versailles" World Architecture and Design Award (referred to as the "Versailles" Award) was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015. It aims to recognize the most aesthetically dynamic, avant-garde, and influential projects and companies worldwide. Award-winning works fully consider the traditional expressions of architecture in their respective regions, as well as their impact on the ecological environment, social participation, and culture. These projects exhibit high levels of innovation, creativity, and sustainability.

The global jury for 2023 was composed of distinguished representatives from various cultural fields, including fashion, design, architecture, performing arts, sports, and cuisine. They selected the final winners from 95 shortlisted projects worldwide across 8 categories. Each category has only one global winner.

衢州体育场

"We dream of creating not just an urban space centered around sports and ecology, but transforming it into a one-of-a-kind land art park in the world, establishing a cultural connection with the city's history and natural landscape."

— Ma Yansong

The building connects seamlessly with nature both inside and out.

Quzhou Stadium is an important part of the Quzhou Sports Park. MAD’s design integrates the stadium's function with the natural landscape, creating a land art landscape resembling volcanic craters and mirrored lakes in the city center, while also providing an open, shared public space that connects with nature and belongs to the citizens. Once completed, Quzhou Sports Park will become the largest earth-covered building complex in the world.

The building is concealed, with its facade covered by greenery, while some white lines serve as pedestrian walkways.

The entrance and exit of the venue are shaped by an irregular double-curved concrete structure.

The exposed wooden-textured concrete columns and walls support the entire stadium.

The rain shelter, supported by a steel structure, is anchored at nine points above the grandstand.

The exterior of the rain shelter is wrapped in translucent membrane material.

The seats are organically divided into five gradient color layers.

Since its official opening, Quzhou Stadium has successfully hosted a series of sports events, concerts, music festivals, and cultural activities. It serves not only as a professional sports venue but also as a large-scale cultural performance space and daily activity area for the public.