Sports Facilities

Few things in life involve so many millions of people and such massive budgets as the construction and use of modern sporting facilities. As the global obsession with sport - as both spectator and participatory activity - shows no sign of slackening, so it comes as little surprise that the buildings so dedicated should be designed, often by renowned architects and designers, to stand out from the crowd both functionally and aesthetically. "Sport Facilities" presents detailed case studies of 25 projects of recent years, including work by Zaha Hadid (the stark and elegant Bergisel ski jump) and RCR Aranda Pigem (a delicate and astoundingly bucolic athletics stadium near Olot in Spain). The projects range from major prestige showcases (football stadia, Berlin's Olympic Stadium reconstruction) to school sports pavilions and sports centres for the use of the public. Each facility is well illustrated with detailed plans, photographs and clear descriptive text.