For artistically and design-wise intriguing skateparks, you don’t have to look far; there are aesthetic gems even in Prague. Once dull and unsafe underpasses at the busy Vltavská intersection are now adorned with bold red obstacles that sharply contrast with the surrounding concrete. Just next to the sculptural studio, there's the skatepark in Řeporyje on the edge of the city. Looking beyond the borders, you'll find a church transformed into a colorful skate paradise, obstacles that seamlessly blend with the old brick tunnels or city walls, parks that embrace wild colors or the cool beauty of concrete. However, the most talked-about skatepark right now is the one that popped up in Paris for the Olympics, right in front of the Centre Pompidou, and which is also a sculptural masterpiece.
Cycloid Piazza: The Artistic Skateboard Masterpiece by Raphaël Zarka
This year's Olympics bring a fresh twist to Paris, captivating not just skateboard enthusiasts but also art and architecture lovers. At the square in front of the Centre Pompidou, a unique skatepark called Cycloid Piazza has emerged, designed by artist Raphaël Zarka and architect Jean-Benoît Vétillard. The project merges geometric shapes with vibrant colors. Drawing inspiration from the work of mathematician Galileo, Zarka views this skatepark as a tool for an unintentional exploration of classical mechanics. Constructed from painted birch plywood, the park offers 400 m² of space, including a bowl and a 3.5-meter-high ramp. Open to anyone eager to ride, this fusion of sport and art is supported by Nike and the Centre Pompidou and will be accessible until September 15, 2024.
Transforming the Drab Underpasses at Vltavská
The neglected underpass at Vltavská has been transformed into a visually striking skatepark by architects from U/U Studio. Specializing in public spaces, this architectural firm aims to integrate freestyle sports into city life and create the most attractive community space for skaters of all levels. Major changes were achieved through subtle modifications, preserving the original industrial look of the underpass while enhancing it with visually interesting skate and BMX obstacles made primarily of metal and highlighted in vibrant red. One entrance features a concrete piggy bank, Ollie, which allows passersby to contribute to homeless assistance through a QR code. The walls of the underpass also offer space for street artists, continuing the graffiti tradition that was prevalent even before the renovation.
Skate and Sculptures Combine in Řeporyje
The same architectural studio is behind the skatepark project in Řeporyje. This park stands out for its direct connection to the BUBEC art center, where renowned sculptor Čestmír Suška works. The skatepark isn’t just adorned with Suška’s typical large steel sculptures but also features the thematic skate sculpture "Kick Flip" by Lukáš Raise. The latest addition to the park is "Thunderbolt," a piece by sculptor Ladislava Plíhala. U/U Studio’s work doesn’t stop here; they’ve designed dozens of skateparks and other visually striking recreational spaces across Prague and other Czech cities.
A Unique Skatepark in a Spanish Church
The Santa Barbara Church in Llanera, Spain, built in 1912 by Manuel del Busto, had fallen into disrepair until a group of enthusiastic volunteers and skateboard lovers, known as Church Brigade, took it over. In collaboration with local artist Okuda San Miguel and his team from Ink & Movement, they transformed the dilapidated building into a psychedelic skate sanctuary. Inspired by stained glass windows but with a twist, the artist decorated the interior with ramps. Today, Flash Forward and La Iglesia Skate offer a mystical atmosphere unlike any other skatepark in the world.
The Colorful Fun Factory in Mérida
Staying on the Iberian Peninsula, the Factoria Joven in Mérida is worth noting. It’s not just a skatepark; teens can also climb walls, bike, or rollerblade, with additional spaces for dance, rehearsal rooms, and a computer lab. The vibrant, multicolored buildings and surrounding areas of this 1000 m² complex were designed by Madrid’s SelgasCano Architects. The multifaceted entertainment space was first envisioned in 2006 by Carlos Javier Rodríguez Jiménez, who combines his background as a physical education teacher with urban planning focused on humanizing urban spaces. Architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano drew inspiration from the shapes and construction of Chinese dragons and used simple building materials, including lightweight polycarbonate.
Riding Through London’s Old Tunnels
Over a century-old brick railway tunnels under London, leading from Waterloo station near the famous graffiti street Leake Street were transformed in 2014 into the House of Vans London. This cultural hub spans about 2,500 square meters across five tunnels, serving as a center for skateboarding, art, film, and music. One tunnel features an art gallery with creative labs, another a cinema, and a third a concert hall with a capacity of 850. The skateboarding area includes three tunnel spaces for all skill levels. The main attraction is a professional-grade concrete ramp, complemented by street-style obstacles for intermediate skaters and a mini-ramp for beginners.
Liverpool’s Glow-in-the-Dark Park
A skatepark that glows in the dark was created for the Liverpool Biennial in collaboration with the city council. Designed by South Korean minimalist artist Koo Jeong-A, who describes her works as poetry materialized in physical forms and whose pieces are held by the Centre Pompidou and the Guggenheim Museum, the Wheels Park is her second skatepark design. With luminescent obstacles usable day and night, this park, which also functions as a piece of street art and a community gathering place, has revitalized the Everton neighborhood, one of Liverpool’s poorest areas.
Swiss Skatepark Full of Color
In Lugano, Switzerland, a colorful skatepark decorated by the Zuk Club artists offers a striking contrast to the surrounding mountains. The newly renovated 1000 m² park features bright colors and diverse geometric patterns. One section even includes a colorful pattern that forms the face of functional sundials.
Luxembourg's Medieval Wall Conquest
Skatepark Péitruss, near the medieval walls of Luxembourg City, showcases the visual integration of a sports facility with its surroundings. Designers from Constructo Skatepark Architecture incorporated hexagonal patterns reminiscent of the city’s Vauban fortress and a color scheme of chestnut, gray, and white concrete to create a thoughtful homage to the historical heritage of the area. The obstacles, suitable for skaters and BMX riders alike, naturally blend into the hilly park in the Péitruss Valley, offering various playgrounds, walking paths, and picnic spots.
Wheels as Brushes, Pool as Canvas
Colorful tracks left by skaters adorn the pool at the Cunningham Regional Skatepark in San Jose. In this project by London artist d*face, five skaters with spray paint attached to their boards became human brushes on a concrete canvas. Inspired by Led Zeppelin’s "Physical Graffiti" album and the simple fact that skaters leave traces of their wheels on the park’s surface, creating layered maps of their rides that intersect and overlap.
And how does artificial intelligence imagine such an unconventional skatepark? Perhaps something like this, in a new baroque style…
