FC Shakhtar Training Facility

Donetsk, Ukraine | 2008

The new training facility for team Shakhtar will be as much a part of its public image as its performance on the field. Historically, sports facilities have been more like isolated camps, with training venues divided into separate buildings (gym, medical, residential functions, and football fields). These were typically used only for practices and were closed off from the public eye, however, new global relationships between press, fans and players demands these separate experiences be brought into much closer proximity. Given the imperative for media access, the new FC Shakhtar training facility concentrates the activities of the primary user-groups: players, coaches and staff, public and press within a highly efficient envelope. This new type of "publicized" facility will in no way however, compromise its primary function of training and maintenance of the players. Each user group has its own way through the facility except at crucial meeting points where press meets players and the public visual access to events and players–in–training. Where possible the players will not be hidden away but be an integral part of the publicity, branding, and advertising of the team. The central public feature of this complex is "Shakhtar World", which links outside to inside, the players to public and press, is the central lobby; a dramatic space that connects all functions of the complex, where the history and successes of FC Shakhtar will be celebrated.