Bicycle Club by NL Architects

When asked to draw up plans for a cycle-hire shop in southern China, Dutch studio NL Architects thought it would be fun to put a velodrome on the roof.

The curved rooftop track of the Bicycle Club will overhang the glazed exterior walls to shade a shop and cafe on the ground floor.

Once they’ve hired a bike, customers will be able to take it straight up to the track via central staircases, which will double-up as seating areas for spectators.

The architects are now working up detailed designs for construction.

Another Velodrome that’s worth a look is the one completed for this summer’s Olympic Games. See images here.

Here’s a little more text from NL Architects:

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Housing Corporation VANKE has asked us to make a proposal for a Bike Club as part of a big resort in Southern China that we are currently involved in.

The Bike pavilion should accommodate bike rental and a cafe.

A protruding roof could be very welcome in this tropical climate.

The oversized top perhaps could house an additional function. What about a velodrome?

The elegant curvature of the steeply banked oval bike track creates an optimistic gesture; eaves curled upward: a surprisingly functional pagoda.

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• Architecture