Although these sports take place in very different elements, skateboarding and surfing almost feel like cousins, and not just because they both use boards. Both of them move in waving patterns, whether on sea or even on land, creating a kind of dynamic that feels almost as beautiful and as chaotic as nature itself. If it were possible to surf or skate in the air, we’d probably be doing it just as well, but that’s impossible with current technologies.
This architectural design, however, tries to capture that imagery in a single piece of land washed in blue and white. Standing on top of a commercial building is an unusual skate park, designed to bring three worlds into harmony and create a space that invites both action and rest. It’s a beautiful monument to nature that stands at the center of a bustling city.
Designer: Withing Beyond Studio ()
We often think of stake parks as artificial spaces made of concrete and metal, with unfinished and painted surfaces that further reinforce their artificial nature. Despite this, however, the sight of skaters speeding through ramps and obstacles almost feels natural in their ebb and flow. They rise and fall like waves on the seas, pretty much similar to how surfers ride the tumultuous surface of these waters.
This rooftop skate park in Qingdao captures this dynamic and association, using curves and colors that paint the picture of the open seas. It also pays tribute to the coastal heritage of the city, becoming a bridge between sea and sky, while also cultivating the skateboarding culture growing in the region.
The park is also quite interesting in its composition, using a steel frame to handle the load not just of skaters but also of visitors. On top of this, creating the contours and providing solid ground, is a surface layer of concrete. The shades of blue are painted using solvent-free polyurethane coating applied in six layers to withstand the city’s coastal climate.
Opposite the rams are three white spheres, mimicking fluffy clouds floating over a bright blue sea. Thus the skate park becomes not only a venue for sports and action but also a relaxing place for visitors to enjoy this man-made earthen bridge between sea and sky.
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