A FOCUS ON FOCI - An Urban Sports Hub

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

A center of Activity – Attraction – Attention

As a whole
 The design acts as a place of interest or activity in the city of Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
 Cascading sports fields, pathways and open spaces to attract people the hub.

The sports center
 Most of the spaces in sports centers are busy at the time of use and utterly empty and void every other time. It’s made in such a way that its usable and contributing even when nothing is scheduled.

The need of sports complex in any city is a must as it’s required of every age, from child to old man everyone needs a complex as it provides various activities for all the age groups. Project is envisaged to be cluster of modern multi-functional sports facilities. It aims to provide the user an affordable, comfortable and enjoyable experience. To create a relaxed and easy atmosphere through design, architectural expression, so as to make the complex retreat from city life.

Project description

The town of Kalutara is a key urban center on the western province of Sri Lanka, which has experienced a ribbon-pattern town development that is common to many if not all of the smaller urban centers along the Galle Road. This pattern of development has a negative impact in terms of traffic management, pedestrian flow and creating a viable urban center in the town of Kalutara to advance its future development.

The present development is characteristically unplanned, with the location of specific building and land use types coming up based on convenience and existent facilities rather than following a proper method of planning. To move the town towards a more well defined urban growth pattern, an identifiable center in terms of sports and public activity is necessary to form a 'starting node' of sorts that can define the urban environment around it. The proposed sports hub is a design proposal which aims to accomplish this objective.

With regards to the proposed site, there is a strong link with the recreational facilities and infrastructure that exist in the present urban context. The selected site will be developed as the Sports Hub of Kalutara town, where it becomes a viable and identifiable center in the town. The byroad linking the Galle road, site and the stadium becomes a major cross access link in this hub, facilitating pedestrian movement.

Technical information

Sports complex is a group of sports facilities. Sports such as volleyball, badminton, swimming, table tennis, weighted framing, boxing, cross fit, crock climbing have become popular in the last few years and this requires sports facilities for practice and completion. Sports, recreation or free time activities are now widely accepted as fundamental elements of quality life. They are essential to the mental and physical well being of humans and in general of any present day society. The oxford dictionary defines sports as ‘the playing of games or partitions on a competitive basis involving physical exertion & skill’ Sports complex are essentially large theaters of entertainment, which ought to be pleasant to visit, like a cinema and at the same time also be social and architectural landmark in towns and cities. A sport complex is a closely knit well balanced, grouping of indoor and outdoor games facilities offering a wide range of activities on a comparatively small land area. Sports complex is an enclosed area designed to showcase and practice of various sports events.

To develop the current stadium into one that can provide the required facilities for the training and day to day maintenance of a squad of players who are able to complete at the national and international levels. To provide an area for the development of sports in the Kalutara district. To provide opportunities for the younger generation players to be showcase their skills and be noticed.


Approach to the project
 A master plan is proposed to develop the whole site as a recreational hub in Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
 A sports center with modern facilities and standard sizes creating proper ground for international level training.
 Pavilions are relocated on either sides of the stadium.
 Fully functional, standard spaces are developed for track and field events.
 To minimize the congestion, roads are widen and pavements are introduced.
 Proper vehicle parks are proposed within the site.
 Jogging tracks, cycling tracks, open exercising zones and gathering spaces are proposed to attract public to the hub.
 Accommodations for outstation trainers and trainees.