SOSC Shanghai Oriental Sports Center

The expansion of the existing sports center located along the bank of the Huangpu hosts the FINA Swimming World Championship 2011. Along the shore of an artificial lake three stadiums and one media center were developed. A shared formal idiom and use of material unify the three sports buildings: longspan steel structures with large-format rectangular elements made of coated aluminium sheets evoke the image of sails in the wind. The hall stadium with a round ground plan and an encircling, 35 m high foyer with glass facades will later be used for other sports and cultural events. The roof structure of the rectangular swimming hall (“Natatorium”) is made of sectional steel girders with triangular glass surfaces and spans over four pools in a row. Roof trusses with a lightweight membrane cantilever above the circular grandstands of the outdoor pools, providing protection against sun and rain.