Gmp Architecten's crystallized stadium creates a new memory in the Long Gang District of Shenzhen, China with its prismatic shell on a basis of triangular facets. The architectural inspiration of Universiade Stadium came from a valuable mineral, Crystal. “Crystal” evolves from the ancient Greek vocabulary “Krystallos”, translates into Chinese as “water of pure white”. The notion of crystal has been assimilated, perceived, and discovered by the lighting design team in order to create design ideas for the stadium. 

Two questions shaped the design process; 1) What kind of lighting techniques should be adapted to present the language of architecture? 2) How to illustrate the sprits of the game with design? Eventually, design team decided to focus on “White” as the main theme of design. One of the reasons is that creativity from relevance to the concept of “Crystal” could be expressed through the form of architecture. More importantly, “White” represents Purity, Justice, Holiness and Peace. It is believed that “White Light Architecture” could harmoniously present the sprits of the Universiade. 

Over the decades, many international sport events were held in China, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Gam and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Olympic Game. Most of the stadiums for these events adapted color change in their lighting system. As a result, the project's clients required RGB multicolor variation to be adapted into the design. 

GD-Lighting Design compromised with the clients and agreed with the use of fade green lighting. The glass of the architecture appears green under daylight. Green lighting was adapted so that the building impression of “emerald” in day time could be extended into night time. In addition, “Green” correlates with the advocated idea of world peace and green environment. Thus, green light in this project was thought to be acceptable. Nonetheless, the use of green light should be limited. 

The illuminated surfaces are white shading fabric with certain transmittance level. When white light is illuminated on to the shading fabric, it acts as supplement for interior lighting, enhancing the brightness and uniformity without affecting the game or its broadcast. 

However, when green light is illuminated, the diffused green light will negatively influence the interior lighting, especially for the natatorium. The change in lighting color would affect the game itself and the visual effects of broadcast. Thus, the use of green light could only be limited to the time period when games are not held inside the stadiums. 

However, the final outcome appears as what was shown on CCTV news, with exaggerated multi-color changing effects. The lighting of Universiade Centre should fulfill the needs for news reporting and support the lively atmosphere during the opening and closing ceremonies. 

However, it is questioned whether a multi-colour lighting system is absolutely necessary, and whether the use of ceremonial lighting should be adapted as permanent everyday lighting for the stadium.  

During the design process, the lighting design company did propose a scene control solution. The company chose white light as a foundation of the design. With the help of LED dimming techniques, controlling each triangular glass façade modules as a single element to vary luminance levels and creates patterns, in order to present the interactive relationship between the crystal architecture, the light, and the shadows. 

With many conflicts between the feasibility issues of RGB system and cost, GD-Lighting Design also suggested using temporary performance lighting system. It could not only fulfill the broadcasting needs for the media, also balancing the issues between ceremonial and normal lighting. Unfortunately, our proposal was not accepted by the clients.   

The opening and closing ceremonies of the 26th Summer Universiade were originally planned to be held at the Shenzhen Universiade Centre, eventually the government has relocated the ceremonies to the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, also known as “Chun Jian”. Sadly, the RGB LED system which has fulfilled every requirement has not had the chance to join the opening ceremony. It has raised many questions. 

There is no doubt that rich, colorful and intense lighting are the symbols of wealth during the development of a city. However, after the achievement of wealth, the value of light in a city should be returned to serenity. Instead of the rigid sharpness or intensity, the quality of light should also have the chance to be valued and pursued.

Project Facts

Project name: Stadium of the 26th Summer Universiade, Shenzhen

Client: Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality

Lighting Consultant: GD-Lighting Design 

Architectural Design: GMP Architecten

Project Location: Long Gang District, Shenzhen, China

Completion Time: March, 2011

All images © Christian Gahl

> via GD-Lighting Design/Gmp Architecten