Spatial User Needs Study of Tennis Club Facilities to Support Contemporary Lifestyle in the Urban Context of Pattaya

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the spatial requirements of a tennis club in response to contemporary lifestyles within the context of Pattaya, a coastal tourism city with recognized potential for sports, health, and wellness tourism. The study focuses on analyzing the perception of spatial needs among users and stakeholders in order to propose appropriate interior design guidelines. A qualitative research methodology was employed, comprising physical site surveys and in-depth interviews with 12 key informants from four groups: entrepreneurs/investors, designers/architects, tennis coaches/athletes, and general users. The study site was the tennis club at Welcome World Beach Resort & Spa, Thappraya Road, South Pattaya, Chonburi Province. The findings reveal that contemporary tennis clubs should be designed as integrated activity spaces connecting physical exercise, health recovery, and lifestyle functions, with the tennis court as the core element supported by wellness, fitness, and recreational areas in appropriate proportions. All four informant groups reached consensus in selecting Layout Plan E as the most suitable spatial configuration. The findings relate to the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth through sports tourism employment, SDG 3 on good health and well-being through access to sport and wellness facilities, SDG 9 on resilient infrastructure for sport and wellness facilities, and SDG 11 on inclusive and sustainable urban spaces. The results contribute to interior design guidelines applicable as a framework for developing tennis clubs in Pattaya and similar urban tourism contexts, with implications for Sports City policy and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development area.