SoBA designs colourful sports park informed by local opera costumes
Architecture studio SoBA Architects has designed the Huachiao Vibrant Sports Park in China, whose shape was informed by the flowing "water sleeves" used in the costumes for Kunqu operas.
Located in Suzhou's Kunshan district, the 6,000-square-metre sports park comprises two basketball courts, a skatepark, table tennis tables, a pavilion and a children's playground.
Its design draws inspiration from the so-called water sleeves used in Kunqu operas, which originated in the Kunshan area. The extended, ribbon-like white sleeves are attached to the opera costumes to create more dramatic performances.
Local studio SoBA reinterpreted the concept of flowing Kunqu water sleeves in the contemporary urban landscape, blending the fluid movement into the park's terrain, while also using it to connect various functional zones.
"This approach not only infuses the site with a distinct cultural identity but also enhances spatial legibility and interaction," explained SoBA.
The skatepark specifically features a sculptural "white ribbon" skate zone made of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), to ensure the strength and durability of skateboarding surfaces while creating a sense of lightness and visual fluidity that is consistent with the water sleeves concept.
The colour scheme of the park follows the same concept, with the white skatepark serving as the visual and spatial core, while a combination of blue, orange, and pink colours cover the basketball courts and table tennis tables to create a dynamic look.
"The overall colour scheme strikes a balance between vibrancy and restraint, echoing the park's name and cultural theme while creating a friendly, open, and dynamic public space for surrounding residents," SoBA told Dezeen.
Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the exercise facilities, which were designed to cater to a variety of physical conditions and let people move freely between zones.
In addition to professional sports facilities, the park also features plenty of seating, shaded areas and open activity spaces to encourage interaction among people.
"As a community hub for public activities, the Vibrant Sports Park emphasises inclusivity and social engagement," said SoBA.
"The design priorities accessibility and adaptability, ensuring that users of all physical abilities can find suitable ways to engage with the space," it continued.
The park has a diverse range of native trees and shrubs, which were selected based on local climate and soil conditions to promote biodiversity while reducing maintenance costs.
According to the studio, the park maximises the green coverage by optimising plant configurations, which helps improve air quality, regulate the microclimate and enhance the site's ecological adaptability.
"The Vibrant Sports Park is not only a landscape project that integrates traditional culture with modern sports but also a future-oriented practice in community public space," the studio concluded.
Founded in 2018 by Ruo Wang and Haiyin Tang in New York, SoBA Architects has offices in Suzhou and Seattle.
It recently completed a cafe and florist shop within a foldable box and another urban park informed by the "curve and rhythm" of local music, both in Kunshan.
The photography is by Holi unless otherwise stated.
Project credits:
Lead architects: Ruo Wang, Haiyin Tang
Design team: Yiqing Wu, Chuanzhang Li, Zhexuan Liao, Yuan Wang, Zekang Ye (Intern)
Construction documentation: Suzhou Yuanke Ecological Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Contractor: Kunshan Huatai Municipal Engineering Co., Ltd.
Client: Construction Bureau of Kunshan Huaqiao Economic Development Zone
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