Field hockey is a fast-moving, hard-hitting game where speed is ever increasing. In one match, you have 22 players thrashing at a ball with a hockey stick for over an hour, and whatever surface they are playing on needs to be able to handle it.
The Motz team understands the components your athletes need from their field hockey field, and our custom synthetic turf fields are made for this level of activity. Speed | Your players want a fast and firm surface.
Let's explore the innovative design and construction of field hockey stadiums, focusing on the groundbreaking approach taken by Archi-Tectonics in their Field Hockey Stadium at Hangzhou Asian Games Park.
Archi-Tectonics' Field Hockey Stadium: A Fusion of Art and Functionality
Archi-Tectonics’ Field Hockey Stadium at Hangzhou Asian Games Park is characterized by a diaphanous 125-meter free-span wing roof, doubling as a landscape sculpture. Positioned five meters below ground level, the stadium seamlessly integrates with the natural contours of the landscape, presenting itself as an organic element within the Park. The playing field is set within a recessed oval grass plain, blending into the park’s rolling terrain.
Unlike conventional stadiums that isolate themselves, Archi-Tectonics’ design aims to harmonize with the environment. Winka Dubbeldam, Founding Partner of Archi-Tectonics, emphasizes their unique approach, stating, ‘Most stadiums are fortresses. Ours is more like land art.’
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As an integral part of the landscape, the 5,000-seat stadium facilitates a smooth transition between the plaza and the playing field, adapting to the varying elevations. Spectators enter through a glass atrium with 35-meter high ceilings, offering a grand entrance. In plan, the roof and field take the shape of intersecting ovals, drawing inspiration from geometric configurations like the Seed of Life or the Vesica Piscis.
Roof Structure: Bridging Tradition and Technology
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The roof of the structure draws inspiration from the traditional Meinong oil paper and bamboo umbrella, spanning the entire distance in one continuous sweep. A single curved beam holds the roof in place, maintaining tension in the mesh. Positioned about a meter above the building, the roof creates a natural draft that brings cool air over the spectators.
Surrounding the sunroof is a ring, ranging from 1 meter in diameter at its thinnest to 1.5 meters at its thickest, anchored by four substantial concrete sculptural elements. According to the team, the concrete abutments do not support the structure but instead weigh it down, contributing to the overall tension of the construction.
Collaborating with structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti, Archi-Tectonics conducted prototyping and testing to achieve an ultra-lightweight structure, enabling the impressive free span of the roof. The construction process involved a comprehensive 3D modeling approach, integrating every aspect from construction staff management to material flows, budget considerations, and detailing.
The stadium is covered by a 125-meter free-span wing roof that shades the lobby and stands. This project, comprising a park and seven buildings, became the first in China to achieve full coordination in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and received recognition for this accomplishment.
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Integrating Functionality and Sustainability
The structure, made of poured-in-place concrete, features an entrance plaza leading to a glass lobby beneath the sloping stands. On the ground floor, VIP lounges and parking areas are positioned beneath the main lobby, integrated into the topography’s slope. Apart from hosting field hockey games, the stadium serves as a venue for outdoor film screenings, concerts, and various events.
The double-curved glass facade enveloping the lobby is supported by an engineered hardwood and steel structure, creating a play of light and shadow. Balancing modern engineering, the stadium incorporates traditional local finishes, such as interior walls clad in locally sourced bamboo, contributing to a sustainable building rooted in the region’s heritage.
The surrounding sloping landscape, designed by !Melk!, adopts a sustainable sponge city approach, integrating local vegetation and elegant pavement patterns to incorporate porous areas. Initially planned as a non-permanent structure for the Games, the architects proposed and the client agreed to transform it into a hybrid facility with cultural functions for the neighborhood after the conclusion of the Asian Games.
The Role of Synthetic Turf Fields
Synthetic turf fields are critical in modern field hockey stadium design. Mid-Atlantic Sports Construction completed the conversion and enlargement of the natural grass field to a new Synthetic Turf Surface.
With their synthetic turf field reaching a decade of play and serving as home field for thousands of athletes throughout the years, Sacred Heart Academy elected to replace their surface.
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Hathaway Brown is an all-girls K-12 independent day school in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The school has been a Motz synthetic turf field customer since 2015, during which time it has installed two different athletic fields on campus.
Motz has built a strong reputation in the industry as a high-performance sports field construction partner. We knew we needed another artificial turf field for all our athletes K-12. Motz was our first choice as they had proven themselves designing, building, and caring for our first turf field. They are outstanding partners to work with throughout the installation of our fields and their ongoing care of our facilities.
Key Features and Benefits
Here’s a summary of the key features and benefits of modern field hockey stadium design, exemplified by the Hangzhou Asian Games Park stadium:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Free-Span Wing Roof | Provides shade, acts as a landscape sculpture |
| Integration with Landscape | Harmonizes with the environment, creates a natural aesthetic |
| Sustainable Design | Utilizes local materials, incorporates sponge city approach |
| Multi-Functional Venue | Hosts various events, serves the community |
| Synthetic Turf Field | Ensures a fast, firm, and durable playing surface |