The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” If one or more of these aspects are compromised, quality of life and happiness can be severely affected. In recent years, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, this has proved to be especially challenging. Commuting restrictions forced many to stay indoors and businesses to pause in-person operations, aiming to prevent the virus from spreading but inevitably sacrificing psychological, emotional, and even physical health in the process. As a result, people’s lifestyles shifted to find new ways to address their well-being, including adapting their living spaces accordingly. Home gyms, for example, became a popular initiative.
Sports Architecture: The Latest Architecture and News
Tips for Home Gym Design: Fostering Physical and Mental Well-Being in Interiors
Herzog & De Meuron Updates the FC Basel Stadium in Switzerland
The Jakob-Park Stadium, home of FC Basel, is getting an update to extend its lifespan after 20 years of use. Originally designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the architecture reform aims to provide better hospitality to visitors by restructuring the access and optimizing security to keep the stadium open even on non-match days. The proposal also contemplates replacing the iconic facade with a sweeping roof to give the stadium a unified appearance and broadcast the events outside.
Skateboarding, Architecture and Urbanism
At the end of the 19th century, skateboarding emerged in the United States. Officially patented in 1936, the sport has already faced several prejudices, but like the social and urban dynamics of which it is a part, it has lasted to demonstrate that its experience goes far beyond conservative views and brought a new way of experiencing the city by trying movements of our own bodies in light of the urban or architectural design.
13 Design Solutions to Organize your Workout at Home
As cities keep growing and daily realities quickly shift, people turn to new and ever-changing ways to maintain their well-being. While the promotion of active lifestyles has been the focus of many Planners and Architects (Pedestrian/ bike-friendly cities, parks or fitness/ sports centers) aiming to support Human comfort and health, recent times have shown that these publicly coveted facilities might not always be accessible.
The solution is as clear as day. In fact, if you’re not engaging in it nowadays, you’re probably witnessing those around you working out from home or even offices. Workplaces have been also adapting their interior spaces, having designated areas and equipment available for those eager to take a break from work.
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games: Discover the Full List of Projects
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Paralympic Games have officially opened on February 4, 2022. The Winter Olympics made a brave move by adding two snow zones in Zhangjiakou and Yanqing to the ice zone in Beijing, creating an unprecedented three-zone system for the Winter Olympics.
Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University (THAD), has led the planning and architectural design of the whole and all venues in Zhangjiakou Zone and Shougang Venue in Beijing Zone. Planning and Venue design for Yanqing Zone was elaborated by the China Architectural Design & Research Group. Chinese architects took the initiative to create while serving the principle of sustainable development and closely integrating architectural planning methodologies and architectural design during the approximately six-year construction cycle. They proposed the design framework of "full-scale spatial intervention" based on the "General Plan, Regulatory Plan, Urban Design, Architecture Design and Equipment System Design," completing the Chinese practice of sustainable Winter Olympics.
Skate Places: Recovery and Occupancy of Urban Spaces in Disuse
Yesporciento is an architecture and research studio founded by Sebastián Castro, architect and skateboarder. From Chile, his interests lie around strategies to maximise and strengthen the public and collective space through the Skateboarding phenomenon. Next, Castro presents his most recent analysis focused on observing, registering and presenting some cultural manifestations related to the recovery and occupancy of disused urban spaces, defining three case studies within the urban area of Santiago.
Chimneys, Overhangs and Anchors: The Architecture of Climbing Gyms
Climbers embrace their own type of architecture. Between barn doors, mantels and multi-pitch routes, rock climbing and bouldering take on a range of surfaces, materials and structures, whether outside or indoors. Today, more recreational centers and sports facilities are including climbing walls as the sport grows in popularity. As spaces to build strength and unwind, climbing gyms are built as their own interior worlds to explore.
Jong-Am Square / Simplex Architecture
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Architects: Simplex Architecture
- Area: 693 m²
- Year: 2020
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Manufacturers: Danpal, Singwang Mat, Sobo Construction, Sunil Elecomm, Unique system
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Professionals: LAIM Information Technology Co. Ltd, Codam Technical Group, Sobo Construction
Japan National Stadium / Taisei Corporation + AZUSA SEKKEI + Kengo Kuma & Associates
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Architects: AZUSA SEKKEI, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Taisei Corporation
- Area: 192000 m²
- Year: 2019
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Professionals: Taisei Corporation
Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Center by SPF: architects to be Los Angeles' First NZE Construction
Designed by SPF:architects, the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Center in Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles, celebrates the center’s rich history and community commitment in an eco-friendly, prefabricated facility. Formerly known as the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, the center will expand the pre-existing structure and provide additional recreational facilities but in a cost-effective way. Construction has been ongoing since 2018 and is set to be complete mid-summer of 2021.
Archi-Tectonics' Hangzhou Asian Games Park for the 2022 Asian Games Nears Completion
Archi-Tectonics has designed the master plan for the Hangzhou Asian Games Park for the 2022 Asian Games, as well as two arenas. Nearing completion, the tennis table and field hockey stadiums have topped out bringing the 116-acre complex into its final phases. Once the Games end, the new interventions will adapt to new uses, “becoming a signature public recreation complex for the city”.
St. John’s Institute Sports Pavilion / Archetype Architecture
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Architects: Archetype Architecture
- Area: 1800 m²
- Year: 2019
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Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Big Ass Fans, Enscape, Lumion, Boysen, +5
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Professionals: Palace Construction Incorporated
Equestrian Centre / Carlos Castanheira + Clara Bastai
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Architects: Carlos Castanheira, Clara Bastai
- Year: 2012
Alvega Canoeing Center / ateliermob
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Architects: ateliermob
- Area: 320 m²
- Year: 2010