katrien vanderlinden looks to emirati weaving patterns

A bold fusion of sports, street art, and cultural heritage, Katrien Vanderlinden’s basketball court in Abu Dhabi lets you shoot some hoops on a Middle Eastern rug. The space draws inspiration from Boston Celtics motifs, intersected with triangular and diamond geometries characteristic of the traditional Emirati Sadu weaving style. The bright colors and intricate details, such as painted tassels along the edges, create the illusion of a real rug when viewed from above.

all images courtesy of Katrien Vanderlinden

a fusion of sports, street art, and cultural heritage

Despite its artistic flair, Katrien Vanderlinden’s hypecourt retains all necessary game lines, allowing visitors to play basketball according to official rules. The Boson Celtics’ influence is also evident in subtle references to the team’s legacy, blending playfully with the Middle Eastern cultural elements.

Commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi and the Boston Celtics, the Ghent-based artist’s design serves as both an artwork and a functional court, inviting basketball enthusiasts and art lovers alike to the waterfront. At sunset, the court’s vibrant colors and detailed patterns are emphasized, injecting a visual icon into the Reem Central Park’s landscape, the bold hues peeking out between the palm trees.

Katrien Vanderlinden fuses sports, street art, and cultural heritage

the bright colors and intricate details create the illusion of a real rug when viewed from above

its triangular and diamond geometries are characteristic of the traditional Emirati Sadu weaving style

hypecourt retains all necessary game lines, allowing visitors to play basketball according to official rules

painted tassels along the edges

commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi and the Boston Celtics

the design serves as both an artwork and a functional court

project info:

name: Celtics Rug
artist: Katrien Vanderlinden

location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom