There are certain buildings constructed in China that serve as venues for hosting major international sports events. Much like the iconic Water Cube in Beijing constructed for the 2008 Olympics, Shanghai is home to a sports arena that was especially built for hosting a world-leading aquatic gala.

The Oriental Sports Center, located at the city's Pudong New Area along the Huangpu River, was created out of such cause and has later become the city's landmark sports complex.

A sports complex for contests

When Shanghai was granted the opportunity to host the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships in 2011 – the first time in the country to host a sporting event of this kind – the city was set to build a giant sports hub for events.

In line with the sustainable urban development, the sports venue was constructed on industrial brownfield land. It comprises of a natatorium, a sports stadium with a seating capacity of 18,000, an outdoor swimming pool and a media center.

Designed by the German architecture firm GMP, the architecture adopts water and waves, beaches and bridges as design motifs with the buildings showing a sense of unity and reflecting the dynamics of water.

A fitness center for all

After serving its purpose of hosting the FINA swimming championships, it began to open to the public from September 2011.

It provides facilities for a wide range of sports, including swimming, tennis, basketball, football and badminton, significantly improving the city's public sports facilities and also promoting the national fitness program.

"The Oriental Sports Center will adhere to the public welfare and open to people as much as possible to offer them a green environment as well as a place for fitness and leisure," said Yan Jiadong, deputy commander-in-chief of the construction headquarters.

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(Cover image created by Ma Zhiyuan)