Maximo Malaiu

04 — Building Design

Sports Complex

A building shaped by the daylight it owes its neighbors.

Physical model photographed against a red brick wall: stacked white floor plates behind a black striated screen, with a white curved wall peeling away.
Model
Year
2025
Type
Academic
Place
Downtown Syracuse, NY
Site
Existing parking lot

The project

This sports complex replaces an existing parking lot in downtown Syracuse. The design is driven by daylight and its impact on both the site and the surrounding buildings.

Curved volumes shape the massing to bring light deep into the block while preserving views and daylight for adjacent neighbors. A secondary curved section acts as a light well, channelling light through the interior spaces.

Dark render of the building: a striated black volume cut by a tall pale curved light well.
Light well

Massing

Line axonometric of the building in its street block, with trees, neighboring buildings and the curved cut facing the street.
Against the existing block

Section

Varying programmatic needs generate a shifting section: taller volumes accommodate larger courts at lower levels, while more compact spaces occupy the upper floors. The structural system responds accordingly, with columns tapering toward the base to create a lighter and less intrusive presence.

Two building sections showing tall court volumes at the lower levels and compact floors above, with the curved light well cutting down through the section.
Section

Plans

Lower level plan: the large court set within the block, with street trees and the curved edge facing the street.
Lower level
Middle level plan: smaller rooms arranged along the curve, the light well cutting through the floor plate.
Middle level
Upper level plan: the most compact programme, the curved edge at its deepest.
Upper level