Sports courts become canvas for artists and architects worldwide
A surge of creatives, including artists, architects, and designers, is redefining sports courts as innovative public spaces. This trend originated with the Duperré court in Paris, crafted by Ill-Studio in 2017, which reimagined basketball lines in shades of pink, blue, and violet. Since 2014, Project Backboard has partnered with artists throughout the US to establish lasting public art on local courts. Highlights include Lakwena's striking court in Arkansas, Victor Solomon's kintsugi-themed Literally Balling court in South Los Angeles, and Yinka Ilori's Creative Courts initiative. Internationally, Katrien Vanderlinden's Abu Dhabi court reflects Middle Eastern carpets, while DeRoche Projects and SOBA have innovated courts in Ghana and China, respectively. Additionally, Asad Raza and Playgones have creatively utilized court designs in Milan and Versailles. Felipe Pantone's Casa Axis near Valencia hosts an annual tournament where the winning artist reimagines the court. This article is featured in designboom's Play chapter.
Key facts
- Pigalle's Duperré court in Paris was completed in 2017 by Ill-Studio.
- Project Backboard has collaborated with artists across the US since 2014.
- Victor Solomon's Literally Balling court in South Los Angeles uses kintsugi.
- Yinka Ilori's Creative Courts initiative combines bold colors with participatory design.
- Katrien Vanderlinden's basketball court in Abu Dhabi references Middle Eastern carpets.
- DeRoche Projects built a community tennis court in Ghana using precast rammed-earth.
- SOBA designed a sports park in Huachiao, China.
- 2050+'s Frontones Danzantes was presented at Concéntrico 2026 in Logroño.
- Asad Raza installed a tennis court in Milan's deconsecrated Church of San Paolo Converso.
- Playgones placed a basketball court at Château de Versailles.
- Playlab transformed football nets into installations for The ReefLine in Miami Beach.
- Casa Axis near Valencia hosts an annual artist tournament with a redesigned court each year.
Entities
Artists
- Lakwena
- Victor Solomon
- Yinka Ilori
- Katrien Vanderlinden
- Asad Raza
- Felipe Pantone
- Jessica Trosman
- Emiliano Miliyo
- MrKA
Institutions
- Ill-Studio
- Project Backboard
- DeRoche Projects
- SOBA
- 2050+
- Playgones
- Playlab
- Casa Axis
- Muñoz Collection
- The ReefLine
- designboom
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Arkansas
- United States
- South Los Angeles
- Los Angeles
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Belgium
- Ghana
- Huachiao
- China
- Logroño
- Spain
- Milan
- Italy
- Château de Versailles
- Versailles
- Miami Beach
- Florida
- Valencia