The traditional sports court is evolving.
Once treated as a purely functional surface defined by line markings, durability and performance, hard courts are increasingly being reimagined as design features that contribute to the character and identity of a space.
No longer just places to play, they are becoming opportunities to express identity, encourage community connection and create memorable public spaces.
And while these courts may look like public artworks, the performance beneath the colour is world-class. Powered by Laykold acrylic court systems - the same surface trusted by the US Open, Miami Open and the Australian National Pickleball League (NPL) – these increasingly popular art courts demonstrate that there is no longer a need to choose between sporting performance and visual creativity.
Available in an extensive range of UV-stable colours, the Laykold system allows architects and designers to move beyond conventional court layouts and explore bold graphics, custom artwork and site-specific designs without compromising performance. The surface becomes more than sporting infrastructure; it becomes part of the design language of a project.
Project image courtesy of Communities in Colour, QLD.
A powerful example of this approach can be seen in Naracoorte, South Australia, where Communities in Colour transformed a Laykold basketball court into a large-scale public artwork celebrating the endangered South-Eastern Red-Tail Black Cockatoo - a species deeply connected to the region's identity.
Developed in collaboration with a local council art class, the project invited community participation throughout the design process, resulting in a space that reflects both the local environment and the community's identity.
Projects like Naracoorte demonstrate how courts can become a meaningful community asset. “For us, these projects are about more than painting a court,” said Communities in Colour founder Travis Thompson. “They're about creating spaces that reflect the identity of a community and giving people an opportunity to see themselves represented in public spaces.”
The project's creativity, technical execution and community impact were recognised internationally when it was awarded Project of the Year at the 10th Sport Group Asia Pacific Project Partner Awards.
For architects and designers, projects such as Naracoorte highlight the growing potential of recreational surfaces as a design medium.
Engineered for consistent ball bounce, player comfort, durability and long-term playability, Laykold surfaces are trusted by some of the world's biggest sporting events and increasingly specified for schools, clubs, parks and community spaces seeking to combine high-performance recreation with creative design.
Project images courtesy of West Coast Sports Surfaces, WA
Project images courtesy of Go Parkey, Japan
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