THE SPORTING ICON

A manifesto of potential written in zinc, concrete, and imagination, this university sports arena showcases how thoughtful, innovative architecture can transform urban landscapes and foster a culture of excellence

- Kashish Kaushal

India’s sports infrastructure has often been an understated aspect of its urban landscape, relegated to the periphery of civic and academic priorities. Yet, in a country where sports have the potential to unite diverse communities, sports centers represent more than just physical structures; they embody aspirations, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. In the educational institutions landscape, a new architectural narrative is emerging—one that celebrates sports not just as a physical activity, but as a transformative experience. The Figured Ground University Sports Arena stands as a powerful symbol of this vision, proving that sports facilities can be more than mere functional spaces. Tucked away in Hubballi, Karnataka, this extraordinary project by Thirdspace Architecture Studio is a beacon of innovation, reimagining what a university sports arena can truly represent.

The project began with two opposing visions from the university leadership. One sought to preserve the campus’s green expanse, viewing the site as a vital ecological buffer. The other envisioned an iconic structure marking the university’s 75-year journey, a beacon of progress visible from the city. Reconciling these divergent viewpoints, the design embraces duality: it is a structure of absence and presence, simultaneously blending into and standing out from its surroundings.

“When I was a student of architecture, I had read an article which argued that the places for some of Corbusier’s greatest achievements, like the monastery of La Tourette or the Ronchamp Chapel, were not prominent commissions by themselves, but rather were small nondescript sites and programs in the recesses of the countryside. It was their design that made these projects noteworthy. This article has remained with me and has influenced our approach where we believe that design has the power to transcend limitations posed by geography, budgets or scale.”