China’s new World Class Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Centre Hosts its First Major Competition
October 30, 2015
The Populous team went on to incorporate athlete accommodation and sports science facilities into the Hengqin Centre plan, with a second major arena and sports academy planned for stage two.
The Centre is set up to host events like concerts too. Ensuring the feasibility of all of these inclusions wasn’t without its challenges. Populous worked locally with the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD) to generate structural, interior and landscape designs for the project, with an emphasis on being practicable.
Even so, when it came time to start construction, the site itself tested all of us. Reportedly used for prawn farming at one time, it had to be drained and reclaimed. Our solution included 50 metre deep reinforced piles, strengthened foundations, giant concrete slabs, a tunnel and two canals – a massive undertaking.
It should be noted that our design retained an aquatic theme. A number of impressive (and rest assured, deliberate) waterways and water features, as well as other sea-inspired elements, are spread throughout the development.
In terms of construction, the builders carried out our design intention well, and the client and local Mayor have expressed their satisfaction. Populous Senior Principal, and its Director in Asia, Andrew James praised the completed stage of the project, saying “The speed and quality of construction has been very impressive.”
Next month, an international crowd will descend on Zhuhai to experience our work and our activation ideas firsthand, as the Center plays host to its first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Elite Trophy from November 3rd to 8th.
One of the most lucrative events on the WTA tour, this major singles and doubles tournament offers an impressive $2.15 million USD in prize money, and 700 ranking points.
In the singles, players ranked ninth to 19th in the world, plus a wildcard entry, will compete. Subject to ranking changes prior, entrants in this year’s event should include the likes of Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, and Madison Keys. The wildcard entry is Zheng Saisai, the new No 1 seeded player in China.
WTA organisers, who’ve called the Hengqin Center “state-of-the-art” and a “tennis paradise” say momentum for the Elite Trophy event is building. Tournament Director Peter Johnston told SportsPro the WTA was looking forward to “…a week of world-class tennis entertainment for the people of Zhuhai and our global audience.”
The people of Zhuhai, in fact, got to see the Center early, putting the facility to the test at International Tennis Federation events held in recent weeks. Fans in their thousands attended, praising the stadium, in particular the water views and excellent vantage points from every seat.
The Center hopes to attract other professional tournaments in the near future. Given its high-level facilities, and a design giving VIP treatment to players and professional tournament organisers, that shouldn’t be a hard sell.
In the meantime locals benefit. Legacy was considered from the beginning and the plan was always for the public to use the courts on non-event days. When you add in that they now have year round access to extensive parkland, complete with iconic structures and usable green space, it’s apparent that Populous’ competition win has been successfully translated into a win for the people of Zhuhai.
Tiric Chang
Tiric is an Associate Principal of Populous, a Chinese 1st class registered architect, and the Chief Representative of the firm, in China.
He was born and educated in China and worked as an Architect in a top Architectural Design Institute in China, for 9 years before immigrating to Australia, and joining Populous in 2010.
Tiric is very experienced in communicating and coordinating with both Clients and local Design Institutes. He also helps the design team to understand the context of a project, as well as to resolve design issues related to the Chinese design code.Tiric’s background in working with Chinese architecture enables an understanding and appreciation of Chinese projects which ensures smooth project coordination, delivery and process.
As well as his role as Team Leader on the Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Centre from the beginning of the design competition, Tiric is working on a number of sports and convention centre projects in China including a range of equestrian projects.
Tiric’s 
Richard Breslin is a Senior Principal at Populous and a Director of the Asian/Pacific office headquartered in Brisbane. Richard also sits on the worldwide strategic Board of Populous and is responsible for all of the firm’s projects in New Zealand and Australia.
Richard is currently leading the Populous team on the Darling Harbour Live project in Sydney in a HASSELL+ Populous joint venture. The $1B project includes the design of a convention centre, exhibition centre and theatre. He was Director in charge of the redevelopment of Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne.
In 1997, Richard began work with the team on the design of Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium), the main venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics before moving to London where he worked on Wembley Stadium, and the design of the Soccer City Stadium in South Africa, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was also project leader for Populous’ successful master plan for the London 2012 Olympic Park.
In 2007, Richard headed home and led the teams on Eden Park redevelopment in Auckland and Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Richard’s