RMJM’s innovative design for Dalian complex
Move over (empty) Bird’s Nest. British architectural firm RMJM won a competition to design a 20,000-square-meter sports complex in Dalian, capital of China’s Liaoning province, and renderings of the design look distinctive to say the least. The building, which resembles a giant piece of muscle tissue, is to feature a floor that’s suspended off the ground and north-facing skylights. It will house a 50-meter pool, as well as areas for martial arts, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, fencing and gymnastics. It’s not RMJM’s first China project–it also designed buildings for the Beijing Olympics, including the fencing and shooting venues and the international media center. One of the company’s designers, John Pauline, contributed to design of the Water Cube. The Dalian project was the first for RMJM’s new studio, RMJM Sport, which also was recently awarded the contract to design six venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
China’s skateboarding scene
A couple of months after the X Games came to Shanghai, this Global Post article by Jordan Calinoff takes a quick look at the growth of skateboarding’s popularity in China.
More wins for Chinese badminton team
China continued to do what it does in badminton over the weekend, winning four out of five finals at the Philippine Open. That’s good news for sportswear brand Li-Ning, which earlier this year replaced another Chinese company, 361, as the team’s outfitter and major sponsor.
Dalian image: RMJM
Tags: badminton, Dalian, RMJM, skateboarding, sports venues, venues, X Games