Every sports surface tells a story – whether it’s a community futsal court or a rooftop running track, your design choices bring the project to life. APT’s tool – Design Your Own Court – allows you to experiment with colours, logos, layouts, and styles to suit your space, brand, or inspiration. This makes it easy to turn a functional sports area into a bold visual statement.
For inspiration to create your own one-of-a-kind sports space using some of our synthetic sports surfaces, check out these five iconic designs.
1. Bring Local Heroes to Life
One of the most eye-catching examples of a custom pitch is the Sam Kerr Futsal Court in NSW. Designed as part of the EA Sports FC Futures program, this project transforms a basic asphalt court into a powerful tribute to the Matildas’ captain. Featuring bold colours and a striking swan graphic representing her Perth roots, this pitch proves that sporting spaces can be more than just functional – they can also honour icons and ignite local pride.
TIP: Incorporate local colours, mascots, or cultural elements that speak to your audience and give your space a lasting impact.
2. Fuse Art and Sport for a Visual Experience
The full-sized basketball court in Saitama, Japan – The Sun Breaking through the Cloud – shows what happens when visual art meets sports engineering. With an intricate design created by renowned artist Noritaka Tatehana, the space blends creativity with purpose. More than just a place to play, this court encourages community engagement and transforms a forgotten area into a hub of activity.
TIP: Consider collaborating with local artists or schools to bring a unique visual language to your court.
3. Turn Private Spaces into Personalised Retreats
In Shanghai (Private House of Forest Manor), a basketball enthusiast transformed a backyard into a sleek personal court with hand-painted logos and tailored colour zones. The result is a stylish, functional space that reflects the owner’s personality and passion.
TIP: Include club colours, initials, or family emblems on the surfaces for a truly personal space.
4. Get Creative with Challenging Locations
The rooftop running track at R. Iconic in Port Melbourne winds around a complex rooftop layout, integrating with other amenities like pools and gyms. This example proves that with thoughtful design and expert execution, even unconventional spaces can become high-performance and high-impact sporting zones.
TIP: Instead of seeing obstacles, look at how the space can be shaped to elevate the user experience – literally and visually.
5. Use Colour to Create Buzz
The Unity Pitch series for the FIFA Women’s World Cup popped up in city centres around Australia and New Zealand, attracting players, fans, and passers-by with vibrant hues and clever layouts. These pitches weren’t just for play – they were part of the experience.
TIP: The strategic use of colour can transform a simple surface into a must-see destination.
Create a Space That’s Built to Inspire
A standout sports project isn’t just built with materials – it’s shaped with vision, creativity, and personality. From community courts to rooftop tracks, each space offers a chance to do something original. With the right tools and ideas, your next design can be more than a place to play – it can be a work of art.
