Located on the shores of Taihu Lake in Wuxi’s Economic Development Zone, the Wuxi Olympic Sports Center is taking shape as a unified complex featuring a stadium, multipurpose arena, and swimming center. In close collaboration with gmp Architects, sbp devised resource-efficient structural solutions that honor the wetland setting and reinforce the site’s strong visual connection to the water.
The stadium roof features a hybrid structure with cantilevered trusses and a single-layer, spoke-type cable-membrane system for efficient, material-saving load transfer. Cantilever trusses and stands shape the facade, while the inner cable-membrane allows for long, light cantilevers and a transparent look. This dual system reduces weight and cost while staying flexible for future needs.
Within the multipurpose arena, inclined columns and a radial truss frame achieve a synthesis of structural performance and architectural clarity.
The swimming center features a rounded triangular footprint and layered roof: a transparent hanging roof, an opaque roof, and cantilevered trusses, together producing a sense of lightness and stability. A ring-shaped secondary structure limits maximum span to 48 meters, trimming building volume and resource demand. The open, column-free interior further highlights the delicate roof design.
Sustainability is at the core of the project: natural ventilation, along with solar, geothermal, and wind energy, define a pioneering energy concept. The Wuxi Olympic Sports Center exemplifies climate-adaptive architecture and actively supports emission reduction and climate resilience.
