Starting with a geometry inspired by the Cong, an ancient Hangzhou jade-stone artifact, Archi-Tectonics parametrically designed an optimized form to facilitate the stadium’s conversion from a sports arena to a performance venue. The stadium features a suspen-dome roof resting on an inner bowl and cantilevering out to support the outer shells with brass shingle cladding and a glass diagrid. The choice to keep the the glass planar on a double-curved surface led to the design of aluminum ‘eyelids’, which optimized costs and construction time.

The interior arena is entirely clad in locally sourced bamboo, and receives natural light and air through a ring of openable windows and a central skylight.

The Hybrid Stadium—in tandem with supporting spaces like restaurants, VIP lounges, and retail areas incorporated throughout the building—creates a layered and dynamic environment fully-equipped to serve as an events and entertainment destination. Reflecting the hybrid nature of the space, the seating arrangement combines point-symmetric oval stadium seating with a traditional amphitheater layout, thus creating a new hybrid typology that can accommodate various performance types, from sports events to classical concerts.