Located in POPC, Shanghai, the XBOX Family Sports Center is a groundbreaking venue, covering 3,000 square meters. It was developed by Ningnuo Investment Management Co., Ltd and designed by Fun Connection. This trendy hotspot for Generation Z blends functional sports aesthetics with a futuristic design, making it a leader in the indoor sports scene.
Project Name: XBOX Family Sports Center
Studio Name: Fun Connection
Project Location: Shanghai, China
Project Area: 3000m²
Design Time: 2024.3
Completion Time: 2024.5
Main Products Creation Team: Pang Zhedong, Zheng Ying
Chief Designer: Zhang Yaotian
Design Team: Zhu Qian, Wang Yingfei, Qin Zihan, Wang Keyi
Construction Team: Meng Yan
Photographer: Aqi
01 Crafting Futuristic Industrial Aesthetics
The XBOX Family Sports Center stands out with its industrial architectural style, redefining conventional design norms. From an aerial perspective, the space resembles a futuristic factory, with its well-organized functional zones operating efficiently.
The entrance features a striking semicircular reception desk and a series of neatly arranged silver inflatable cushions that immediately capture the attention of visitors. The shoe-changing area is both convenient and welcoming, ensuring that first-time visitors feel at home as they prepare for their activities. Once past the turnstile, guests are greeted by a spacious, imaginative environment, signaling the start of an exciting adventure.
Silver, blue, and orange dominate the color scheme, reflecting Space Age aesthetics. The stainless steel slide and the transparent tunnel, which twists and turns like factory pipelines, are key elements. Exposed steel frames and visible hardware emphasize the futuristic industrial style, creating a cutting-edge visual experience.
The concept of functional sports aesthetics merges the energy of sports with practical design. The space’s layout, with its curves, diagonals, and arcs, guides movement and sightlines, ensuring a seamless visual flow. This design approach, rooted in the efficiency of industrial aesthetics, aims to create a vibrant and trendsetting environment.
02 An Experience-First Atmosphere
Generation Z, with their focus on experience over material possessions, is the target audience for the XBOX Family Sports Center. Ningnuo Investment has designed over 30 innovative activities that are intricately connected, satisfying the generation’s desire for new and unique experiences.
The X.Slide and the transparent tunnel are the center’s main attractions. The X.Slide, standing 11 meters tall with 8 parallel slides, includes a popular wave slide and a stainless steel spiral slide, offering a thrilling and fast-paced experience. The transparent tunnel, stretching over 20 meters, provides a 720-degree aerial view, allowing players to enjoy a unique perspective.
The center also incorporates various game levels, such as the intriguing “pipes” near the slides that invite players to climb inside.
The high-altitude adventure section features a 10-meter-high, 36-meter-long super zip line. With over 30 levels of difficulty, it can accommodate up to 50 players at once. Challenges like wobbling stepping boards, suspended walkways, and the sky bridge test balance, courage, and strength. This section, designed like a maze, keeps players engaged and entertained.
Pixel-patterned surfaces on the traditional Chinese plum piles draw players into a nostalgic game world. The highest of the 12 ascending piles reaches over 4 meters, offering a thrilling jump experience with safety harnesses. This element brings back the simple joy of early video games.
The trampoline and climbing zones offer different experiences: self-challenge in the trampoline zone and social fun in the climbing area. Both introverts and extroverts can find activities that suit their preferences.
On the first floor, the trampoline zone features wobble bridges, foam pits, and fun trampolines, all infused with elements of basketball and street culture. The second floor is home to high-altitude rope nets, sky-flying activities, and stepping games, where bright yellow and silver create a dynamic, energetic environment.
03 Social Spaces for Shared Experiences
Today, the relationship between space and people extends beyond the joy of participating in novel activities. It’s about creating shared moments with loved ones. Recognizing this trend, Fun Connection has designed the XBOX Family Sports Center to include social spaces where memorable experiences are forged.
The rest areas, well-decorated restaurant, and personalized services like birthday party rooms offer a relaxing environment for gatherings. Equipped with comfortable seating and device chargers, the rest areas provide convenience and comfort. The trendy restaurant not only serves delicious, healthy food but also becomes a popular spot for photos, appealing to Generation Z’s desire for unique and personalized experiences.
At XBOX Family Sports Center, sharing thrilling sports experiences and meaningful moments with family and friends creates a sense of community and belonging that resonates with today’s generation.
