# Camoflauging Community Centres The SportPlaza Mercator by VenhoevenCS Blends In to Nature By Alexandra Serrano | Published 2013-03-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sportplaza-mercator-by-venhoevencs References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/13/sportplaza-mercator-by-venhoevencs/) & [venhoevencs.nl](http://venhoevencs.nl/) Located in Amsterdam, the SportPlaza Mercator by [VenhoevenCS](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ijboulevard) is a community center that appears to be hidden in dense plant life. The architect's intent with their design was to have the construction blend in with its park surroundings in the De Baarsjes neighborhood. This resulted in a building that appears to be as part of a the landscape as a grass, bush and flower-filled knoll would be. Along with its [green facade](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonderwoods-vertical-forest), the building is equipped with [swimming pools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmsewtx-aquatic-and-community-centre), a gym, a party venue and multiple restaurants that cater to its vibrant multicultural community. SportPlaza Mercator by VenhoevenCS is a state of the art facility that caters to those seeking physical activity with the added bonus of nature's breathtaking greenery. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nature-inspired Building Design:** Opportunities exist for architects to create buildings that blend in with their natural surroundings, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the structure. - **Multicultural Community Centers:** There is potential for community centers to cater to diverse groups of people through the provision of facilities and events that reflect their cultural background and interests. - **Eco-friendly Building Materials:** Incorporating sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials into construction can help to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and contribute to the overall effort to combat climate change. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Architects can explore opportunities to create buildings that are more closely aligned with natural surroundings, while also incorporating new technologies and materials to enhance performance and sustainability. - **Community Development:** Community centers have the potential to bring together diverse groups of people, and can be designed and managed to be inclusive and accommodating to a wide range of needs and interests. - **Sustainability:** The use of eco-friendly building materials can help reduce the environmental impact of construction, and can contribute to efforts to create greener, more sustainable communities in the future. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Contrast-Texture Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lakehouse.md) - [Steel-Framed Recreation Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rosemary-brown.md) - [Community Sports Park Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/churchill-meadows.md) - [Garden-Centric Health Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carcavelos-health-complex.md) - [Terracotta Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iztapalapa-pilares-community-center.md) - [Draped Plant-Design Shopping Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calwer-passage.md) - [Connecting Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/utt-empower-soweto.md) - [Green Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studios-workac-and-ignacio-urquiza-architects.md) - [Sport and Wellness Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centralbadet.md)