Blue Court, Located in a seaside park on the southeastern coast of China, Blue Court is a blue concrete basketball court framed by an exposed steel structure. A canopy supported by diagonal steel cables marks the main entrance on the north side.
© Atelier Noirs
The entry canopy along with two inward-hanging canopies form a U-shaped arcade and provide shaded space for spectators. Concrete benches along the east and west columns offer villagers a place to rest, socialize, and observe the ocean view.
© Atelier Noirs
The basketball court is composed of three layers: the primary steel structural frame, secondary diagonal tension cables, and steel wire net. The alternating density of the cable system creates a diagonal stripe pattern while providing different levels of screening and transparency. The use of transparency, wire mesh, and tension cables suggests a lightness that suits its atmospheric seaside setting while providing ample structural reinforcement to mitigate coastal winds.
© Atelier Noirs
Like many rural villages, this community has seen its younger generation migrate to larger cities for work. The Blue Court functions as both a sports venue and a communal gathering plaza. Designed to cater to daily village life, it provides a welcoming environment for children and the elderly to gather, play, and connect to each other and the coastal landscape.
Project Info
Architects: Atelier Noirs, Found Projects
Area: 927 m²
Year: 2024
Country: Ningbo, China
Photographs: Atelier Noirs
Lead Architects: Miaojie Zhang
Structure: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
MEP: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
Landscape: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
Lighting: ELA Lighting
Construction Company: Zhejiang Gutai Engineering Co., Ltd.
Design Team: Miaojie ZHANG, Veronica Smith, Xinhao LI, Tianyu KAN, Weilun CHEN
Program / Use / Building Function: Sports, Cultural, Public
Local Design Institute: Zhejiang Huazhi Design Institute
Competition Organizer: Shanghai OneTenth Culture and Art Co., Ltd.
Special Acknowledgement: Peinan REN
Ruba Ahmed, a senior project editor at Arch2O and an Alexandria University graduate, has reviewed hundreds of architectural projects with precision and insight. Specializing in architecture and urban design, she excels in project curation, topic selection, and interdepartmental collaboration. Her dedication and expertise make her a pivotal asset to Arch2O.