Tennis Academy in Kaliningrad

The basis for the architectural concept of the project is expressed in three contextual layers. The first one is the existing organization of the courts, which sit orthogonally in relation to the surrounding buildings. Therefore, the area of the complex with courts separating it into the sports wing and the apartment block is shaped as a clean rectangular form in plan. 

The second contextual layer is Konigsberg’s architectural background of forts, towers and bastions. These fortifications are scattered all through the city, especially amidst its green areas. This spectacular influence was imagined as the curvilinear and jagged volumes of the mall.

Finally, the third contextual layer was derived from the main functional infill of the complex – tennis, a game where dynamic and static elements come together. Similar collision is echoed in the academy’s architecture as the dynamic walkways are embedded into the static landscape design, together with the solid mass of tennis courts disrupted by the complicated shapes of the surrounding “towers” which are intentionally cut with panoramic view terraces and green roofs. Thus, spatial contexts are visually diversified, becoming especially apparent as a person moves through the inside and the outside spaces witnessing newly emerging architectural and natural compositions.

The tree main entrances to the territory from the park as well as form the academy are connected with a looped route and lead to squares of various scales, some of which are perfect for recreation and contemplation purposes, and others – for big scale events and carnivals. The central square is partly covered with suspended volumes of indoor tennis courts acting as weather shelters. Open-air sports area to the left is composed of 4 hard floor courts, 3 fields, a court with a practice tennis wall and an exercise area, all of which have access to the walking route. The three hard floor tennis courts are to be transformed into a skating rink during winter time.

The entrance to the site is equipped with a local recreation zone: a small and cozy park designated mainly for the use of the apartment complex residents. The pedestrian connections system and functional areas of the park are organized in a way which optimally preserves existing natural conditions.