Architects: Atelier Noirs, Found Projects
Area: 927 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Atelier Noirs
Lead Architects: Miaojie Zhang
Structure: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
MEP: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
Landscape: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
Lighting: ELA Lighting
Construction Company: Zhejiang Gutai Engineering Co., Ltd.
Category: Cultural Architecture, Sports Architecture, Public Architecture
Design Team: Miaojie ZHANG, Veronica Smith, Xinhao LI, Tianyu KAN, Weilun CHEN
Program / Use / Building Function: Sports, Cultural, Public
Local Design Institute: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
Competition Organizer: Shanghai OneTenth Culture and Art Co., Ltd.
Special Acknowledgement: Peinan REN
City: Ningbo
Country: China
Blue Court basketball court by Found Projects and Atelier Noirs on the southeastern coast of China is located in a seaside park and features a blue concrete playing surface within a steel-framed structure. A diagonal cable-supported canopy marks the main northern entrance, forming part of a U-shaped arcade that includes inward-hanging canopies providing shaded areas for spectators. Concrete benches on the east and west sides offer spaces for rest and socializing with views of the ocean. The court structure is composed of a primary steel frame, secondary diagonal tension cables, and a steel wire net, which creates a dynamic striped pattern while allowing for varied levels of transparency and wind protection. In a village experiencing youth migration to cities, the Blue Court functions as both a sports venue and a social plaza, offering space for residents of all ages to gather, connect, and engage with the surrounding landscape.
Blue Court, situated in a seaside park along the southeastern coast of China, features a blue concrete basketball court enclosed by an exposed steel framework. A canopy, held by diagonal steel cables, defines the primary entrance on the northern side.
The entry canopy, together with two inward-hanging canopies, creates a U-shaped arcade that provides shaded areas for spectators. Concrete benches positioned along the east and west columns offer local residents seating to rest, socialize, and enjoy views of the ocean.
The basketball court consists of three layers: a primary steel structural frame, secondary diagonal tension cables, and a steel wire net. The varying density of the cable system forms a diagonal stripe pattern that offers multiple degrees of screening and transparency. The interplay of wire mesh, transparency, and tension cables conveys a sense of lightness appropriate to its coastal setting, while ensuring strong structural performance against seaside winds.
Similar to many rural villages, this community has experienced the migration of its younger population to larger cities for employment. The Blue Court serves as both a basketball venue and a communal gathering space. It is designed to support everyday village life by offering a welcoming setting where children and older residents can gather, play, and engage with one another and the surrounding coastal environment.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Xiangshan County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
