The Azman Hashim Community Sports Complex is a 7.7-acre sports facility equipped with international competition-level facilities for both outdoor and indoor games. Completed in mid-2022, the Azman Hashim Community Sports Complex is located near the centre of Sibujaya, an expanding township designated as a hub of connectivity between several towns in the Sibu district. The complex is well-positioned and welcoming as a neighbourhood community sports facility within the township centre with good urban connectivity particularly with emphasis on the continuity of cycling/pedestrian access from the current network. The sports complex sets a new benchmark for sports facilities in the region, equipped and certified to host up to ASEAN-level international sports competitions.
The main building is split into 3 adjacent forms, the smallest of which is the lobby and café that sits in between two larger masses. Unlike typical public buildings, the complex is not surrounded by fencing on all sides. The main entrance of the complex is approachable without having to go through security gates thus making the entire complex more friendly and open to the public.
The lobby opens directly towards the field and track, creating an exciting contrast of scale. To the left of the lobby is the indoor sports arena that can accommodate a full-size basketball court with tiered seating by the side. To the right of the lobby is an iconic grandstand with a large roof that gracefully cantilevers above. The space beneath the grandstand is cleverly used to accommodate the washrooms. The layout of the complex is planned with open ground and green of the sports complex visually flows into the adjacent town park of Sibujaya. Shrubs are planted along property edges bounded by drain reserves which act as a natural barrier, minimizing fencing for cost savings whilst promoting visual permeability to the facility.
Using an industrial design approach, the building elevates conventional materials through its honest and simplified expression. Through its elementary forms, the texture, finishes and colour of the materials are given the opportunity to shine in what is a mark of precision workmanship. Using red bricks, black wrought iron, and cool grey metal decking, the design adopts an honest showcase of the material’s quality, inviting people to experience the varying textures, tones, and interactions with daylight and shadow. This is a sports complex that is cost-efficient, functional and designed to be a timeless architectural piece with an industrial design approach for easy maintenance as a public building.
The design plays with scale and contrast, using changes in height and breadth to manipulate the quality of space. The further undulation of its form adds layering of light and shadow while allowing light to penetrate through gaps created between creases. Strips of metal decking wrap around the roof like race tracks. The running corrugation conveys a sense of motion, reflecting light at different angles.
A varied tapestry of red brick is achieved throughout the complex after careful planning and expert bricklaying work, mimicking Sarawak’s rich cultural tapestry. Beyond conventional bricklaying, the walls also feature several unique bricklaying patterns that add visual interest and variety to an already vibrantly textured surface.
