Terengganu Sports Complex

The Terengganu Sports Complex, located in peninsular Malaysia’s north-eastern state Terengganu, takes its design references from the Malay and specifically Islamic culture that dominates the area. The complex is made up of an open main stadium and a closed indoor stadium/convention centre.

The 60,000-person-capacity main stadium, located at the eastern end of the site, is designed in accordance with international standards to host competitive sporting events and large scale public gatherings and shows, such as concerts and talk shows.

The two sweeping crescent-shaped roofs with a three-dimensional star mounted on the smaller roof (the skylight star, an Islamic symbol) projects the cultural vernacular of Terengganu state. These references were derived from the state government’s official flag.

The crescent roof structure that covers the ‘Grandstand’ and the ‘Weststand’ is a column-free steel space-truss framed system that is externally supported by vertical and lightly angled reinforcedconcrete rectangular beam columns on the outer eaves of the lower roof rim. The roof covering is made from standing seam metal decks with a glass skylight in the shape of a star on the smaller roof at the ‘Northstand’. Floodlights to the track and the field are strategically placed at the edges of the space-framed roofing.

Adjacent to the main stadium, the indoor stadium overlooks a manmade lake on the western side. It is specially designed as a weather-proof indoor arena in line with international sporting bodies’ specifications and requirements. The centre court is paved with the latest in durable synthetic sports flooring materials.

Supporting facilities include two small auditoriums, with seating capacities of 250 and 350, seminar rooms and a banquet hall on the ground floor; the main arena and circular exhibition hall are located along the perimeter (corridor) of the first floor.

The design takes the pure shape of a circle as the basis for the layout. This concept offers an unobstructed view from any angle at all seating levels. The building has a geometrical domed roof with externally slanting walls similar to the dome of a mosque. Traditional Malay and Islamic references are highlighted in a dual-layer star-shaped roof and a “pending” (a Malay buckle) on the highest centre tip of the main roof. Exit stairways will be patterned after a series of minarets, also referencing mosque architecture.

Composite metal tiles and sheet claddings chosen for their hard-wearing, weather-resistant coatings and their slick and shiny high-tech feel are used for the dome and wall covering, respectively. Tinted full-height glass walls wrap around the corridor perimeter of the exhibition hall and offer a sweeping panoramic view to the outside (the Ceremonial Plaza to the north, the main stadium to the east, the lake and the landscape to the south and the west).

On a bright and sunny day, the glass allows in a full measure of natural daylight, highly suitable for painting and arts exhibitions. Fixed overhead composite sunscreen louvers extending out from the upper eaves allow for passive light control.

The master plan of the entire complex is guided by the ambition to attract sportsrelated tourism. Aside from its sports functionality, the development also seeks to centralise some of Terengganu’s tourism assets. For example, the many handicraft exhibition stalls scattered all over the state could come together for a combined largescale showing.

The site is located about eight kilometres from the state capital’s downtown on a generally flat site surrounded by low-rise residential developments. The site was formerly a low-lying semi-swamp area with naturally formed water bodies.

The master plan maintains the site’s original topography, allowing the natural landscape’s gentle slopes to complement the curves of the structures. Natural water collection channels are redirected into the manmade lake, while water collection along the site’s outer perimeters is channelled via the infrastructure drainage network. Additional water catchments are planned to add capacity to the site’s natural water pockets to handle the development’s surface water run-offs. The manmade lake is located at the original site of the largest naturally formed water pool. The lakes and open green spaces will be available to the public for recreational activities. –Aylwin Chooi