badminton racket-shaped roof tops MVRDV's arena 'the sweet spot'

the sweet spot: a landmark badminton arena for shenzhen

MVRDV, in collaboration with Huayi Design, has secured the competition-winning proposal for the Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park, a multifaceted sports complex named The Sweet Spot that will house China’s National Badminton Training Centre. Located in the eastern region of Shenzhen, the project is a bold statement, combining an arena for professional sports events, a public National Fitness Centre, and commercial facilities. A central theme in the design is badminton, which is referenced throughout the complex, notably in the 240-meter-long rooftop, topped by a solar array and shaped like the head of a badminton racket.

‘Given the programme of the complex, it was clear that the Pingshan Sports Park should be a real celebration of all sports, but more than anything else, it should be a celebration of badminton,’ says MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs. ‘With the design of The Sweet Spot, we tackled that requirement head-on, with a fun and easily readable concept that anyone can appreciate. At the same time, we took great care to resolve this complex project in a way that is efficient, sustainable, and social. We’re thrilled we were able to take the winning shot in this competition!‘

visualizations © Atchain

mvrdv’s split-level sports complex

At the core of MVRDV’s design for The Sweet Spot is a main building, which houses an arena, warmup courts, and training spaces. Together with Huayi Design, the Rotterdam-based architects link these elements with a public promenade that creates a T-shaped public area, serving as the heart of the complex. This design encourages engagement, as visitors can easily navigate between the sports facilities. A key feature is the central plaza, aptly named the ‘sweet spot,’ positioned just outside the arena’s main entrance. This area, which references the optimal striking point on a badminton racket, also inspired The Sweet Spot’s name.

Below the public promenade is a lower ground level, which discreetly connects the various elements of the National Training Centre. This split-level design prioritizes privacy for athletes, allowing them to move between facilities without interference from the public. This separation of spaces was essential to ensuring a balance between public accessibility and the specialized needs of high-level athletes.

MVRDV, with Huayi Design, wins the competition to design the Shenzhen Pingshan Sports Park

a racket-shaped roof and Shuttlecock-Inspired Tower

One of the most defining features of the complex is its racket-shaped roof, which integrates photovoltaic panels to generate a significant portion of the building’s energy needs. The roof’s grid structure, mimicking a racket’s strings, provides a symbolic connection to badminton, while also enhancing the project’s sustainability goals. MVRDV’s thoughtful integration of design and environmental responsibility is a key component of the project’s success.

To the south of the main arena stands a 23-story tower, tapering in form to resemble a shuttlecock. This tower is split into hotel rooms on the lower levels and short-stay apartments for athletes above. This structure is carefully integrated into the complex, offering athletes additional privacy through direct access to the complex’s private lower ground level. Meanwhile, two smaller commercial buildings in the southeast of the site mirror the racket shape of the main arena, adding visual harmony to the overall composition.

the 240-meter-long roof, shaped like a badminton racket head, is the focal point of the complex

On the west side of the complex, the public promenade extends into a large stepped tribune, offering spectators views of the surrounding sports park. The park itself hosts a variety of sports courts, including badminton, basketball, and football, providing recreational benefits to the local community. A separate National Fitness Centre is also included on this side, housed in a smaller racket-shaped building. This facility offers additional badminton courts, tennis courts, and a swimming centre, further expanding the public’s access to athletic opportunities.

Although not part of the original competition brief, MVRDV extended its design beyond the site’s boundaries to include an area beneath the Pingyan Expressway flyover, which cuts through the northwest of the site. By developing this space into a green corridor with outdoor sports facilities such as a skate park, basketball courts, a running track, and a playground, the architects will connect the sports park to the larger Pingshan community — an inclusion which will enhance the accessibility and usability of the entire complex.

a T-shaped promenade connects the arena, warmup, and training courts, with a central ‘sweet spot’ plaza