Zaha Hadid Architects Completes Guangzhou Waterfront Sports Centre

Summary

• Zaha Hadid Architects completes Guangzhou’s Greater Bay Area Sports Center with stadium, arena and aquatics facilities
• Design draws on maritime heritage, ensuring climate comfort and cultural resonance
• The venue’s first events begin on December 5 with concerts

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has completed the Greater Bay Area Sports Center in Guangzhou, China, a massive complex designed to anchor a rapidly developing waterfront hub in the city’s Nansha District. Positioned on the western bank of the Pearl River, the center integrates a 60,000-seat stadium, a 20,000-seat arena and a 4,000-seat aquatics facility within a 70-hectare riverside park.

ZHA’s signature fluid architectural language for the complex is deeply rooted in the region’s maritime identity and cultural context. The curving shapes and chiselled profiles of the main structures draw direct inspiration from the tapered hulls of traditional Song Dynasty sailing ships, which historically made the Pearl River a leading center of global trade. These design elements ensure comfort in Guangzhou’s subtropical climate, with the stadium roof engineered to protect spectators from rain and sun while venting warm air to maintain airflow.

The project not only provides world-class infrastructure for athletes and spectators but also incorporates landscaped public spaces that encourage recreation and community engagement across the rapidly growing Greater Bay Area. The aquatics centre includes a 50-metre pool and diving well for training and competition, while outdoor pitches and running tracks support local schools and sports clubs.

Environmental resilience is also embedded in the project. The riverside park incorporates wetlands that act as flood protection, managing excess water during extreme sea-level fluctuations. Natural cooling strategies, including shaded sheltered spaces and ventilation guided by prevailing summer winds, reduce reliance on mechanical systems.

The center is set to host its first event on December 5, which comprises four sold-out concerts.

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