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Playful take on the traditional bike shop with smoothly curving velodrome roof
NL Architects have recently revealed their concept designs for a bike pavilion to be built in Southern China. They were given the brief to design bike rental shop which also provided a cafe space. What NL architects added is a velodrome to the roof.
Taking design influence from the traditional curved roofs of Chinese vernacular architecture the velodrome’s curved form appears to float due to the use of glazing. Under the velodrome sits the cafe, a light and airy space, with the staircase up to the velodrome cutting through both volumes. The stairs rise up through into the centre of the veldrome bringing you up into the middle of the action and also doubling as an area for spectators to sit and watch.
The shop allows users to rent a bicycle and then make use of the velodrome facilities above. The idea is an interesting take on what the brief set out for the architects and this playful response may well be popular if realised.
Matthew Goodwill
Editorial
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