Xinchang Globular Center by line+ studio – A Landmark Sports Complex Redefining Urban Regeneration in Zhejiang

The Xinchang Globular Center, designed by Dr. Zhu Peidong and the innovative team at line+ studio, is a groundbreaking 120,000 m² sports and public complex that stands as one of Zhejiang Province’s major “4+1” strategic urban projects. Positioned at the northern gateway of Xinchang, a vibrant county-level city in Eastern Zhejiang, the center reflects the ambition of transforming a small city into a powerful host for national and international sports events.

Since opening, the state-of-the-art sports center has already welcomed national badminton and table tennis tournaments and is set to host its first international snooker event in 2025—marking its rising significance in China’s sports landscape.

Urban Renewal Through Architecture and Sports

The site is strategically located where an expressway, national highway, and a newly built high-speed railway station converge. Previously occupied by ageing factories and fragmented industrial zones, the area lacked civic character and accessibility. The introduction of the Xinchang Globular Center serves as a catalyst for urban regeneration, transforming neglected land into a dynamic public destination.

Despite its small population, Xinchang has a strong sporting culture—especially in small-ball sports—yet historically lacked high-quality venues. This architectural commission not only fulfills that need but also establishes a sustainable urban model for long-term development.

The “Sports Mall” Concept: A Multi-Layered Public Experience

line+ adopted the visionary “Sports Mall” concept—a multifunctional model combining sports, retail, leisure, and hospitality to ensure continuous activity beyond sporting events.

A central indoor atrium, conceived as a vibrant urban street, links five major functional volumes:

• Main gymnasium
• Small-ball sports halls
• Professional training halls
• Commercial and public programs
• A 19-storey athlete and visitor hotel

Public-facing facilities are oriented toward the northern transport hub, inviting visitors into the complex, while the hotel is placed along the riverside for privacy, views, and comfort.

Flexible, Future-Ready Sports Architecture

The complex is designed as a highly adaptable venue capable of hosting local events as well as large-scale championships.

Key Features:

• Elastic grid system for rapid layout changes
• Flexible main arena accommodating badminton, basketball, table tennis, tennis, and more
• 5,000 retractable spectator seats
• Specialized training halls with varying heights
• Large-span structural trusses reaching up to 75.9 meters
• Continuous rooftop public park with: A running track A soccer field A viewing deck
• A running track
• A soccer field
• A viewing deck

An exterior ramp provides 24/7 public access to the rooftop, creating a unique elevated urban park that activates the structure beyond sports.

Architectural Language Inspired by Nature

The architectural form draws from the natural landscape of Xinchang, known for its mountains and waterways. Smooth, horizontal massing and fluid rooflines form a new contemporary waterfront identity for the city.

The hotel tower introduces a vertical element, with its cascading atrium symbolizing flowing water.

The façade features:

• Perforated aluminum panels
• Metal grilles
• Dynamic light-filtering surfaces
• Nighttime illumination that creates a striking glowing landmark

Engineering Precision and Construction Efficiency

To achieve vast open spaces needed for world-class sports events, the center uses:

• Large-span spatial trusses
• Frame–core tube structure
• Optimized modular planning for rapid construction

Training halls span 30–36.5 meters, while the main arena reaches a remarkable 75.9-meter clear span, ensuring uninterrupted visibility and flexible event programming.

A Model for Sports-Driven Urban Transformation

Since its launch, the Globular Center follows a pattern of:

• Monthly major events
• Weekly competitions
• Daily public recreation

Over 220,000 visitors have already passed through the facility, contributing significantly to the region’s economic and cultural vitality. More importantly, it has become a beloved everyday venue for fitness, leisure, community events, and social interaction.

By merging professional sports infrastructure with public urban life, the Xinchang Globular Center stands as a blueprint for sustainable city-building in small and mid-sized Chinese cities.

All the photographs are works of Xi Chen