Architecture studio Archohm has introduced The Shuttle, a striking badminton academy located in Bhubaneswar, India, whose built form is a direct and deliberate visual reference to the sport it houses. Situated in close proximity to the renowned Kalinga Stadium, the facility was reportedly conceived as an architectural statement that draws attention to Bhubaneswar’s growing profile as a badminton hub, while simultaneously celebrating the state of Odisha’s deep commitment to nurturing the sport at both a national and international level. Know more about it on SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
At ground level, the bowl-shaped envelope opens up into a double-height glazed facade, creating a welcoming and transparent interface with the public realm.
Shuttlecock-Shaped Badminton Academy
The building takes its formal inspiration from the shuttlecock itself. Archohm shaped the structure with a bowl-like curvature that mirrors the cork base of a shuttlecock, while an elaborate lighting installation along the exterior comes alive at dark, casting rays that evoke the feathered skirt of the iconic sporting projectile. This duality, functional by day, luminous and symbolic by night, is central to the design’s identity. The studio’s idea was clear for the project. It was to firmly place Odisha on the international badminton map and to establish it as a breeding ground for world-class athletes.
At the heart of the academy is a vast, open hall housing eight badminton courts, overlooked by stepped spectator seating.
At the heart of the academy is a vast, open hall housing eight badminton courts, overlooked by stepped spectator seating. The studio refers to this central space as a black box, which acts like a controlled environment where precise management of airflow, lighting and humidity is paramount. This hall has been elevated to the third floor, with the academy’s supporting facilities arranged alongside it and within the base of the bowl form, each receiving carefully filtered natural light through strategically placed skylights.
The building takes its formal inspiration from the shuttlecock itself.
Redefining Sports Architecture
The building’s distinctive rounded silhouette was not designed purely for aesthetic reasons. Bhubaneswar experiences heavy seasonal rainfall and is no stranger to cyclonic weather conditions. The spherical outer shell was reportedly engineered to offer structural resilience against the powerful cyclonic winds that batter the region annually. Beyond its practical performance, this robust form also carries symbolic weight, representing strength and endurance for the national academy it serves.
Archohm shaped the structure with a bowl-like curvature that mirrors the cork base of a shuttlecock, while an elaborate lighting installation along the exterior comes alive at dark, casting rays that evoke the feathered skirt of the iconic sporting projectile.
At ground level, the bowl-shaped envelope opens up into a double-height glazed facade, creating a welcoming and transparent interface with the public realm. Within this space, a cafe and a sports retail outlet are accessible to visitors. Above all of this, the rooftop has been developed as an expansive public viewing platform, offering panoramic views across the cityscape. Reportedly, according to the studio, this elevated outdoor space, larger in area than a football field, is one of the project’s most extraordinary features and is completed with a shaded walkway that connects visitors to the broader urban landscape.
Image credit: Noughts and Crosses