Words and Images Habulan and Ngo Design Studio (HANDS)
Editing The Kanto team
Envisioned for the municipality of Mappano in Turin, Italy, Play-Ground is a 54-hectare sports citadel concept that aims to cultivate a childlike enthusiasm for fitness. Athleticism is commonly centered around formal mechanics and structured routines, hence the look of most sports cities. The project blurs the delineation between free play and formal play by instilling play as a spatial and behavioral connector throughout the development.
The entire development consists of key spaces such as the Sports District, Arena, Play Spaces, Leisure Park, and Football Field. The Play Spaces are dynamic volumes and hybrid programs spread throughout Play-Ground, helping enhance the typical amenities of a sports city while inviting the community to bask in the space even on regular days.
As the concept of the project emphasizes individual and collective growth, the Play Spaces also function as unique venues for physical activities and foster inclusivity by allowing residents to practice at their own pace. These include leisure, training, and competitive activities.
The core of Play-Ground is the Sports District, which is permeable to pedestrian traffic and highly conducive for play. It also houses the development’s central structure or focal point called Arena. The Arena’s form and scale are highlighted by the Leisure Park and Football Field surrounding it, which were programmed as landscapes that bring the entire citadel to life.
All routes converge at the Arena. It is accessible via four access points, with the southeastern side as its main entrance. The Arena Main Hall is enveloped by a multi-level network of Play Corridors and Active Routes, bringing life and activity to the structure even without big sporting and cultural events. This combination of spaces makes the Arena conducive for free play and formal play—reinforcing inclusivity and a sense of belongingness for the residents of the Sports Citadel.
The structure of the Arena is defined by a radial array of sculptural structural members, influenced by the pockets of Play Spaces at the perimeter of the Arena. Beyond the frame is a ribbon of white brick, paying homage to the brick-cladded streetscapes of Mappano and Turin.
Play-Ground celebrates holism by equally prioritizing competition, practice, and rest. It challenges sports city paradigms, showcasing that there can be more to the typical sports cities people know of. The project is driven by a pursuit of personal and collective growth, and its only hope is to become a timeless and inclusive development for the people of Mappano and Turin. •
