As the designated venue for the opening ceremony of the 31st summer universiade, the project covers a total building area of 120,000 square meters with 40,000-seat grand stands. After the event, the stadium will be rearranged as a sports and entertainment complex accommodating sports competitions, performances, urban tours and public fitness activities.
The project was required to finish design and construction in 23 months. In order to complete a high-quality architecture in such tight schedule, a perfectly round building form was introduced to easily implement prefabrication and modularize the structure and facade system as a whole. The undulating stands form with higher east and west parts and lower south and north sides shapes an integrated and dynamic "stands bowl" that fully fits the round architectural form and improves sightseeing and game watching environment and efficiency of stands organization. The project takes design inspiration from the ancient culture of Chengdu which dates back to 3,000 years ago, and utilizes modern technology and materials to create Asia's largest glazed glass rooftop and China's biggest canopy made of circular polyester grid membrane. The canopy is topped with the traditional cultural totem "Golden Sun Bird", to create a dialogue between the past and the present.
To increase the energy efficiency and adapt to the hot and wet climate in Chengdu, the facade screen system was designed with unique profiles to achieve natural ventilation, a solid exterior architectural image and interior transparency for landscape viewing.
The architects collaborated closely with structure team during the entire design process to shape the rhythmic and aesthetic exposed structure system and minimize the steel consumption. Also a 300-meter-long sightseeing hall with 120-degree angle of view and exterior platform, called "the city window", is integrated into the roof structure to embrace the spectacular surrounding landscape.