TIANJIN 4A SPORTS PARK

A range of colours, patterns and forms animate a sports and play area in Tianjin, China, designed by international studio Ballistic Architecture Machine (BAM) to "rethink the role of parks in dense cities". The Tianjin 4A Sports Park eschews the common idea of a park as an open green space and instead offers locals in Tianjin a densely packed and multipurpose activity area.

"People tend to think of parks and public spaces in terms of green spaces and open lawns, but the reality is that people are in desperate need of quality recreational spaces [that] rethink the role of parks in dense cities and reimagine our relationship with nature," explained the studio's co-founder Daniel Gass.

According to BAM, the design draws on the historic plan of the ancient town of Yixing, which previously occupied the site but was relocated during the construction of China's Grand Canal.

Tianjin 4A Sports Park is divided into four quadrants, each with different functions. At its centre is a large plaza marked by a bright yellow tower, which doubles as a steam exhaust for a reservoir of hot water underground.

To the east is the food quadrant, which contains a beer garden and outdoor eating areas. It sits alongside the play quadrant, where curved and contoured playground areas, sandpits and fountains are organised around a bright yellow canopy.

The maze quadrant sits to the west and comprises four different zones – the hedge maze, earth maze, wood maze and water maze. BAM designed these to evoke the winding streets of the ancient Yixing town.

Finally, the sports quadrant features a small bike track and three pitches of various sizes, each of which has been finished with a different bright geometric design.

A bold use of colour and pattern is used throughout Tianjin 4A Sports Park, not only in each quadrant but also in the striped grey and white paved areas between them and a winding red path that leads through the surrounding trees.

"Layering the design further are patterns of trees, plants, street furniture and lights, playfully marking various activity zones with stripes, colours and geometric elements," explains Gass.

LOCATION Tianjin, China
ARCHITECT Ballistic Architecture Machine
PHOTOGRAPHY Wu Qingshan