Hangzhou Asian Games Baseball and Softball Sports Cultural Center – UAD’s Vision for a Dynamic Sports Community
Hangzhou Asian Games Baseball and Softball Center blends cultural heritage with innovative design, creating an open, multifunctional sports community.
Architects: UAD
A Landmark for the 19th Asian Games
The Hangzhou Asian Games Baseball and Softball Sports Cultural Center is not only the largest new venue built for the 19th Asian Games but also the most advanced baseball and softball sports facility in China. Designed by UAD (The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University), the project redefines the role of sports architecture by creating a community-oriented, culturally integrated, and multifunctional urban destination.
Set at the intersection of Keqiao District and Jinghu New District in Shaoxing, the complex acts as both a world-class competition venue and a public cultural hub—transforming sports infrastructure into an engine for community engagement and urban vitality.
Breaking the Boundaries of Traditional Stadium Design
Traditionally, stadiums are closed-off, single-function structures. UAD’s design challenges this paradigm by embracing openness, accessibility, and urban integration. The sports complex—which includes main and auxiliary baseball fields, softball fields, a physical training hall, and a national fitness center—is woven into a publicly accessible sports and cultural park without enclosing walls.
Visitors can stroll along a commercial sports street under the “Cloud Wing Roof”, enjoy public plazas, and explore a second-floor platform that links different facilities, ensuring seamless pedestrian connectivity with the surrounding future sports community.
Cultural Inspirations from Shaoxing’s Water Town Heritage
The architectural language draws from Shaoxing’s textile traditions and Jiangnan water town charm.
- Facade Design: Inspired by silk ribbons, scrolls, and traditional tile roofs, the exterior uses curved perforated aluminum panels to create flowing wave patterns, symbolizing water ripples.
- Regional Connection: The perforation patterns reflect the intricate poetry of textile craftsmanship, embedding cultural memory into the building’s modern form.
By merging local cultural identity with cutting-edge sports architecture, the design reinforces the connection between heritage and innovation.
The Floating Cloud Wing – Engineering and Aesthetic Brilliance
One of the most striking features is the “Wings of Cloud” roof, a 21,000 m² PTFE membrane structure supported by slender steel columns.
- Form & Function: The curvature is shaped to optimize rain drainage and sunlight shading.
- Lightness & Transparency: The underside is clad in white perforated aluminum panels, diffusing daylight to create an airy, almost ethereal interior.
- Night Illumination: Integrated LED lighting transforms the roof into a luminous spectacle during evening events, enhancing the spectator experience.
From afar, the roof seems to float gracefully above the venue, echoing the soft cloudscapes of Jiangnan.
Post-Games Legacy and Community Integration
Beyond the Asian Games, the Baseball and Softball Sports Cultural Center is designed for long-term adaptability. Its mixed-use program—including hotels, commercial areas, and fitness facilities—ensures sustainable operations and continuous community use.
By merging public leisure spaces, retail areas, and sports venues, the center becomes a permanent focal point for recreation, culture, and urban life, driving economic and social activity in the district.
Key Design Takeaways
- Open Urban Integration – No enclosing walls, inviting the community year-round.
- Cultural Storytelling – Architectural form inspired by Shaoxing’s water town heritage.
- Structural Innovation – Large-span floating roof combining aesthetics with performance.
- Sustainable Legacy – Multifunctional spaces ensuring post-event vitality.
The Hangzhou Asian Games Baseball and Softball Sports Cultural Center by UAD represents the future of sports architecture—one that transcends competition to foster community engagement, cultural identity, and urban sustainability. With its “Wings of Cloud” roof, integrated public spaces, and deep regional references, the project is set to become a symbolic and functional anchor for Shaoxing’s future sports community.
All photographs are works of Qiang Zhao
