BEYOND SPORTS ARCHITECTURE: EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

This dissertation investigates the potential for sports architecture to transcend its traditional, performance-driven model and function as a vital social and ecological infrastructure in contemporary urban contexts. Addressing the common failure of sports facilities to support everyday social life and community cohesion, this research proposes a new typology that integrates environmental performance with robust social interaction.
The study employs a three-part methodology, combining a literature review of key architectural theories, a comparative analysis of relevant typological precedents, and a design-based research project. The theoretical framework is built upon three core concepts: the ""Social Condenser,"" which explores architecture's capacity to intensify social relations; ""Solid and Void,"" which examines the role of spatial composition in shaping movement and perception; and ""Biophilic Design,"" which advocates for the integration of natural systems to enhance well-being.
These concepts are translated into tangible design principles—programmatic hybridity, spatial permeability, and landscape integration—which are then tested through a design proposal for a community-oriented sports facility in Macau's Zone D, a newly reclaimed urban area.
The resulting architectural project demonstrates a replicable model for sports facilities that act as porous, adaptable, and inclusive civic hubs. By layering athletic, cultural, and recreational programs within a permeable and environmentally responsive structure, the design affirms the hypothesis that sports architecture can serve as a powerful catalyst for building resilient, connected, and sustainable communities.