A bird's-eye view of Quzhou Stadium in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]

Quzhou Stadium in Quzhou, Zhejiang province was awarded the Prix Versailles Prize and honored as the "global best sports architecture", the UNESCO announced on Dec 23.

The stadium, which was designed by MAD Architects, combines sports venue functionality with natural landscapes, resembling a cluster of volcanoes and a mirrored lake in the city center.

The stadium has hosted a series of sports events, concerts, music festivals, and cultural activities, not only serving as a professional sports arena and a large-scale performing arts venue for residents, but also catering to their daily needs.

The prize was established by UNESCO in 2015 and aims to recognize the most aesthetically vibrant, avant-garde, and influential projects and companies in the world. Awarded works are evaluated based on the following criteria: traditional features of the region, impacts on the ecological environment, social engagement, and culture, as well as demonstrating high levels of innovation, creativity, and sustainability.

The global jury for 2023 consisted of distinguished representatives from various cultural fields, including fashion, design, architecture, performing arts, sports, and gastronomy. They selected the final winners in eight major categories from among 95 shortlisted projects.