Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
The project implemented several strategies to address embodied carbon:
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Reuse of Existing Structures: A core strategy involved the refurbishment and reuse of shipping container structures for new purposes (snack bar, storage, changing rooms, public toilets, structural support for tribune roof). These containers were refurbished off-site and then installed, significantly reducing the embodied carbon of new construction.
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Recycling of Demolished Materials: Demolished concrete rubble was crushed and reused in structures and communications.
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On-site Material Use: Suitable excavated soil and aggregate were used to stabilize and balance the ground plan, minimizing the need for imported materials.
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Local Sourcing: Focus on selecting local companies that offer certified products with a low carbon footprint.
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Durable Materials: Emphasis on using durable and sustainable materials for new elements (e.g., steel and pine wood slates for waste bins, vandal-proof materials for benches and custom-made low pillar lights).
Service and maintenance emissions
The benches are constructed from durable and vandal-proof materials, while the low pillar lights are custom-made to ensure both durability and resistance to vandalism. This emphasis on robust design is likely to decrease the need for frequent repairs and replacements, ultimately lowering maintenance emissions. Additionally, the waste bins consist of steel and pine wood slates, both of which contribute to their durability.
Afterlife
In this project, adaptive reuse and flexibility were considered:
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Shipping Container Structure as Basic Unit: The project chose the shipping container structure as a basic unit that can be added to or removed at any time, or modified to suit the user's needs. This inherent modularity allows for high adaptability.
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Multifunctional Container Units: The containers are designed to be multifunctional (e.g., the yellow unit functions as a grandstand, storage, and employee space; grey units as dressing rooms, showers, storage, and public toilets). This demonstrates a flexible design for varied uses.
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Design Verification: The team originally worked on the design of two sports complexes simultaneously to verify the adaptability and variability of the selected solution to ensure the design's flexibility for future applications.
Many of the building's/container's parts can be reused very easily in the future. The project highlights elements designed for modularity and potential for circularity. Shipping container structures are inherently designed to be modular and can be added or removed at any time, suggesting they can be easily deconstructed and potentially repurposed or reused in other contexts, aligning with circular economy principles. Their refurbishment for new purposes is a direct example of their re-entry into a use cycle.