The Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto has transformed to become Nike Shapa Soweto. Images by David Southwood

The award-winning and state-of-the-art Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto received an extensive revamp to become Nike Shapa Soweto. 

Relocating the main entrance, adding a social yard and attractive, open thresholds, connects the centre with the community. Graphic by C76 architecture

C76 Architects, collaborating alongside Nike SA and Johannesburg-based Futura Design Agency, revealed the exciting additions and extensive developments to the revamped centre.  

The rebranded centre continues to ignite the national soccer scene and is evolving into an innovative multi-sport facility and vibrant local community hub. 

A carefully designed shading structure layers 4m tiles of structural steel rebar in three dimensions.
Image by C76 architecture

Design approach 

In approaching the design, C76 sought not to recreate an African idiom, but to rather form an authentic identity. Ideas incorporating local materiality and textures of concrete, rammed earth, stone and glass reflect and blend into the contexts of place and culture. 

The intervention has been designed with, and for, Soweto. It expresses a “rough diamond” sense of untapped potential, encouraging engagement with and ownership of the space. 

Sunlight filters through triangular patterns of the shade cover, which is angled to Nike’s iconic “swoosh”. Image by C76 architecture

Giving shelter 

A standout feature is the carefully designed shading structures, which layer 4m tiles of structural steel rebar in three dimensions. These parametrically follow the path of the sun, filtering through triangular patterns angled to Nike’s iconic “swoosh”.  

The cast shadows add a new dimensionality to the concrete below, echoing the humble materiality and geometries of African weaving and latticework tradition. 

C76’s passion for considered design and craft is showcased in this ingenious and unusual use of materials. This cost-effective solution is expressing a unique and contemporary architectural expression, turning the underrated symbolically into a starring design feature. 

The shade cover and planted trees organically soften the multi-sport courtyard and seating into an urban park for the community. Images by David Southwood

Serving society  

The renovation added a new “social yard”. To better integrate visibly and allow open access to the courtyard, the main entrance has moved to the south elevation, connecting directly to Chris Hani Road. 

With thoughtfully placed entries and exits, traditional ideas of enclosure, safety and the standard South African typology are rejected. Attractive, open thresholds connect the centre with, and reaches into the community, both visibly and physically.  

Socially driven programming and landscaping transform the dusty, external built environment into a green escape. The expansive shade cover and planted trees will grow to organically soften the multi-sport courtyard and seating into an urban park, akin to being under a leafy communal canopy. 

Creating connections 

The “swoosh” patterns, angles and unusual materials continue into the building itself. It is a vernacular palette of regional textures, colours and tone, shaping the architectural tectonics, space and light. 

The “swoosh” patterns, angles and unusual materials continue into the building itself. Image by David Southwood

C76 Architects and its collaborators have reignited the facility, bringing together the collective notions of sport and community through architecture and design. It is a home not only for aspiring sport stars, but also a social haven accessible to all.  

Nike Shapa Soweto invites local social, educational and creative contexts and opportunities to emerge and thrive. 

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Project details 

Project: Additions and alterations to an existing sports facility. 

Location: Soweto, South Africa. 

Architectural firm: C76 Architects. 

Principal architect: Carl Jacobsz. 

Collaborator: Warren Wilson. 

Client: Nike. 

Photography: David Southwood & C76 architecture 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to https://www.c76.co.za/ for the information in this article.