Nike / Shapa Soweto

Prior to the kickoff of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Nike constructed the Nike Football Athletic Training Centre in Soweto, South Africa. In 2021, we supported Nike to transform this space into a House of Purpose* by completely renovating the building, park grounds and diversifying the programming. This space was originally designed to offer kids a safe place to play football and had high fences all the way around it, creating a sense of exclusion. We redefined the access and perception to the space by taking down the perimeter walls, transformed the back of the building to be the front and added more facilities to make boys and girls of all skills or sports feel included. New facilities include: skatepark, basketball court, long distance running track, track and field facilities, three multi-purpose sport studios, Nike Maker’s Studio, locker room and shower facilities, community garden, and food kiosk for local business owners.

*A House of Purpose is a community-led experience center, guided by Nike’s purpose and designed to help athletes* do through sport, art, culture and community.