Rotterdam Rocks!

5 Aug 2026 | Design

Rotterdam Rocks!

Shift Embassy

Planner

MVRDV

Building owner

Shift Foundation

Equipment

Uses: Exhibition space, hotel, dining, events, education, public observation deck

Size: approx. 20,000–25,000 m²

Special Features: Vertical park, walkable landscape, biodiversity façade, low-carbon construction, public sustainability monitoring

Address

Rotterdam

Opening

2030

Visualizations

MVRDV

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
More Sports Media
(Advertorial)

Can a building inspire people to act more sustainably? With Rotterdam ROCKS!, MVRDV answers this question in an unusual way. Instead of a traditional visitor center, the project creates a walk-through landscape where architecture, nature, and public space merge, allowing visitors to experience sustainability firsthand.

Architecture as Landscape

On the southern bank of the Meuse in Rotterdam, MVRDV is planning the first Shift Embassy—a place that doesn’t just explain sustainability, but allows visitors to experience it spatially. Seven organically shaped structures form an artificial rocky landscape with caves, terraces, water features, and viewpoints. Public pathways lead visitors all the way up to the roof, extending the Meuse riverfront landscape vertically.

At the heart of the project, which spans approximately 20,000 to 25,000 square meters, is the immersive exhibition “The Elysium,” which uses art, storytelling, and interactive elements to encourage reflection on climate change and sustainable action. The experience is complemented by a hotel, dining options, event spaces, educational programs, and a public observation deck. Up to 700,000 visitors are expected annually.

Sustainability as Architecture

Rotterdam Rocks! views sustainability not as a technical feature, but as a visible component of the design. Green facades, water retention, habitats for animals, and diverse microclimates transform the building itself into a small ecosystem. At the same time, material usage, energy consumption, water management, and biodiversity are continuously monitored and publicly documented.

The project also emphasizes innovation in its design: Recycled steel, low-carbon concrete, bio-based materials, photovoltaics, and recyclable components are intended to significantly reduce the project’s environmental footprint.

Lessons Learned

"Rotterdam Rocks!" shows that buildings can be more than just functional shells in the future. They can expand public spaces, promote biodiversity, and raise awareness about sustainable practices.

This holds a particularly compelling message for sports, recreational, and fitness facilities: Good architecture not only creates spaces for activities—it also shapes people’s behavior and their sense of connection to their surroundings.

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EVE Music Hall

19 Jun 2026 | Design, Sports Halls

Culture Meets the Fields

EVE Music Hall

A concert hall for 4,000 people in the middle of the Croatian countryside? With the EVE Music Hall, BIG is embarking on an unusual experiment. The sculptural new building is intended to bring culture, conferences, and festivals to a region that has hardly been known as a cultural hotspot until now.

Aerial photo (Google Maps)

Design: BIG

Between Fields and Factories

Anyone familiar with BIG’s spectacular designs would expect to see them in major cities rather than in the countryside. Yet the new EVE Music Hall is being built neither in Copenhagen nor in London nor in Dubai, but in Čepin—a municipality with about 9,000 residents in the predominantly agricultural eastern part of Croatia.

It is precisely this contrast that makes the project so remarkable.

The EVE Music Hall is set to become a new cultural attraction in the Slavonia region. The complex, which spans approximately 10,000 square meters, includes a concert hall, a convention center, exhibition spaces, dining options, and rooftop event spaces. The building can accommodate nearly 4,000 visitors, and outdoor events are expected to draw as many as 25,000 people. The opening is scheduled for early 2027.

Culture as a Driving Force

Behind the project is Croatian entrepreneur Marko Pipunić, owner of the Žito agricultural group. The fact that a cultural center of this magnitude is being built in a region known primarily for agriculture and food production is anything but a given. While comparable projects are usually carried out in major cities with public funding, the EVE Music Hall relies on private initiative and the goal of using culture as a driver of regional development.

Form Follows Context

Architecturally, too, BIG responds to this unusual context. Instead of a single building, the architects designed two distinct structures that seem to rise from the flat landscape. The facades are clad in regional limestone and slope down to the ground in gentle curves. The shape is reminiscent of an open stage curtain and alludes to the events taking place inside.

But the architecture tells a second story as well. The curved shells contrast with the straight lines of the surrounding fields and farmland. BIG describes the hall as a “musical outburst on the horizon of the Slavonian fields”—a deliberate sign that something unexpected is taking shape here.

The central foyer is located between the two buildings. Curved wooden structures span the space like a tent made of solid wood, while reflective surfaces mirror the light and the landscape. Visitors move between two worlds: outside, the vastness of the agricultural landscape; inside, the atmosphere of a cultural center.

Versatility Sets the Tone

The larger of the two halls serves as a venue for concerts and music productions, while the smaller hall hosts conferences, presentations, and exhibitions. Both areas can be operated independently of one another. They are complemented by outdoor spaces for festivals and open-air events.

So, just as with sports facilities, multifunctionality is also key in the cultural sector.

Landmark and Ambition

Whether this vision will come to fruition remains to be seen after the opening. Even now, however, the EVE Music Hall embodies an unusual concept: rather than bringing culture to places where it is already expected, it is creating a cultural destination right in the middle of the countryside.

BIG's spectacular architecture serves not only as a landmark but also as a visible expression of this ambition.

Project data

(Links are underlined)

Planner

BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)

Bjarke Ingels, João Albuquerque, Igor Russo, Stefani Fachini De Araujo Team: Agata Anna Budzik, Camila Antonella Mina, Carlos González Acedo, Carlo Basile, Deniz İpek Karataş, Dominika Kłopotek, Elias Lont, Eleni Kanellopoulou, Emma Lomas, German Otto Bodenbender, Giuseppe Laudante, Javier Moran, Jeroni Mach, Julia Salman, Juan Carpio, Kamil Murgrabia, Laurens Boeve, Leticia Evelyn Soares Porto, Lorena Trinidad, Lorenzo Farchione, Luca Rondanini, Marco Dell'Agli Valletti, Maria Francisca Parreira, Maria Sivakov, Michele Archetti, Nir Leshem, Noemi Mastalli, Ole Elkjær-Larsen, Olivia Sarrà Gómez, Rodrigo Iglesias Murrieta, Tejaswini Challa

Building owner

Žito Group; Marko Pipunić

Opening
2027
Renderings

BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
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Milan Forest Stadium

18 Jan 2026 | Design, Stadiums

The Waldstadion in Milan

The new San Siro

 

Stefano Boeri Architetti

The "new San Siro" also wants to become a Milan landmark, but apparently for different reasons than its predecessor. What makes the design special is the visibly green approach, the running track on the top level and the "tower of light".

Stefano Boeri Architetti

Google Maps

Guiseppe Meazza

The discussion about the new stadium for the two city rivals Inter and AC Milan has kept the interested public busy for quite some time. The debate is now also being fueled by architects who are presenting their own designs - for example Stefano Boeri Architetti with the "Stadio-Bosco per Milano" (Milan Forest Stadium).

The planners submitted the project together with ARUP, Fabio Novembre and Balich Wonder Studio back in 2019 as part of the competition organized by the clubs Inter and Milan and have since revised it.

Milan's Waldstadion is to be built on the exact spot where the world-famous Guiseppe Meazza Stadium, built for the 1990 World Cup, currently stands.

emissions

The new stadium also aims to become a landmark in Milan's San Siro district, but apparently for completely different reasons than its predecessor.

The aim of the project is to reduce emissions and energy consumption. Thanks to the use of large photovoltaic surfaces and careful planning of water and waste management, the Milan Forest Stadium is set to become an energy self-sufficient arena.

The Waldstadion Milan integrates the commercial areas that are important for both clubs, such as a museum, a sports hall, press and VIP areas as well as bars and restaurants. There will also be a running track on the top level and the "Tower of Light", a shining landmark for both clubs. As it is a "one stadium for two", the illumination of this tower in the colors red (Milan) and blue (Inter) can make the respective host clearly visible. There is already a particularly dazzling lighting design for the "Derby della Madonnina".

Tower of light

What makes the design special is the visibly very green approach.

The Waldstadion has 5,700 m² of horizontal green roofs and 7,000 m² of green facades. This includes 3,300 trees and 56,300 shrubs from 70 different species, which absorb 162 tons ofCO2 every year.

The result is a green lung for the metropolis and a green link in the urban fabric that helps to clean the air, absorb particulate matter and moderate the temperature in the neighborhood.

The Tower of Light houses the museums of both clubs, and statues of great footballers and coaches from the city are to be installed at the top of the tower.  A memorial to the current Meazza Stadium is also to be built in the park next to the new stadium.

The discussion will continue.

Project data

Architect

Stefano Boeri Architetti
Via G. Donizetti 4
ITA - 20122 Milano

Building owner

AC Milan
Inter Milan

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
More Sports Media

Address

Guisepe-Meazza-Staion
Piazzale Angelo Moratti
ITA - 20151 Milano MI

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Super Stadium

18 Jan 2026 | Design, Stadiums

Super Stadium in Durrës

City center

 

 

MVRDV

"The Super Stadium takes an innovative approach to integrating a stadium into the city."

MVRDV

Google Maps

Link

The design for the Super Stadium in Durrës not only aims to preserve the location in the city, but also to seamlessly link the stadium and the city. A bowl-shaped extension of the entire district with grandstand-like roof areas turns the stadium into an open, inviting place where the neighborhood becomes part of the action.

The concept aims to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable environment that gives the Albanian city (population 100,000) a new, dynamic identity.

The design comes from MVRDV.

Park

The Super Stadium will be built on the site of the existing Niko Dovana Stadium, which is located in a predominantly residential area in the north of the city center. This area is currently one of the few green spaces in the surrounding area, and MVRDV wants to preserve and develop it.

An essential part of the planning is therefore the relocation of the previously adjacent training pitches to another location within the city. This measure will create space for a wooded park that surrounds the stadium in a ring.

Here, native Albanian tree species are planted around the playing field, so to speak. A sports loop, a continuous circular path, winds its way through the park and connects a variety of sports and leisure areas.

The area remains largely car-free - only two access roads lead to a parking lot located below the new stands.

Building

Twenty buildings will be integrated into the park, harmoniously interweaving the stadium complex with its surroundings.

The use of the buildings is clearly structured: In the north, residential buildings adjoin the existing residential area. Educational and cultural facilities are located to the south-east, adjoining the schools to the east. In the south-west, in the immediate vicinity of the city center, offices, hotels and retail space are being built.

All buildings are positioned in such a way that they offer visual contact with the inside of the stadium, i.e. towards the pitch. Their staggered heights follow a well thought-out structure: the tallest buildings are on the outer edge of the quarter, while the lower ones are directly adjacent to the stadium. Their stepped roofs slope towards the playing surface and visually and functionally extend the stadium stands.

This allows the atmosphere of the sporting events to radiate into the surrounding area and involve the entire neighborhood.

Identity

The architecture combines aesthetic and functional aspects: The façade colors are based on the first division club KF Teuta Durrës, which is at home in both the old and the new stadium. At ground level, the buildings begin in white and gradually change to a deep blue - in keeping with the club's colors.

To make the district sustainable, the Super Stadium relies on a wide range of environmentally friendly technologies: solar panels on the roofs generate renewable energy and at the same time provide shade for green roof areas.

Overhanging storey ceilings and shading façade panels reduce the energy required for cooling. A water reservoir underneath the pitch stores rainwater to serve as a resource during dry periods.

Sport Loop

The Super Stadium is not only designed for major events, but remains a lively place all year round. The Sport Loop, which runs through the park, serves as a wide promenade and access route for stadium visitors on match days. In addition, one of the sports areas can be used as a logistics zone for major events. This multiple use of different elements keeps the area active and lively even on non-match days.

The design shows how a stadium can not only exist as an isolated venue, but also establish itself as an active, integrative part of the urban landscape.

If it were realized.

Project data

Architect

MVRDV
Winy Maas, Stefan de Koning, Valentina Chiappa Nunez, José Garcia Garcia, Stijn Lanters, Francisco Polo, Dirco Kok, Alberto Lorenzo, Fernandez Sastre

Building owner

Bashkia Durrës

Draft

2023

Address

Niko Dovana Stadium
Rruga Paskal Prodani 1761
Durrës
Albania

Visualization

Antonio Luca Coco, Angelo La Delfa, Luana La Martina,Marco Fabri

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
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Powerhouse Stadium

18 Jan 2026 | Design, Stadiums

Powerhouse Stadium in Birmingham

Chimney stadium

62,000 fans, a retractable roof and urban life around the stadium: the Powerhouse Stadium will be Birmingham's new center for sport and culture. And tells the industrial history of the city into the future. As a new landmark.

Aerial view (Google Maps)

Design

Heatherwick Studio & Manica

Urban development with chimneys

With the planned Powerhouse Stadium, Birmingham is about to embark on one of the most ambitious stadium and urban development projects in the UK. The multifunctional large-scale project in the east of the city will seat 62,000 spectators and will be the new home of second division club Birmingham City Football Club. It will replace the traditional St. Andrew's Stadium, located 1.5 km to the west, and will form the heart of the new Birmingham Sports Quarter from 2030.

The project pays homage to Birmingham's industrial past and translates this into a striking architectural language. The defining element are twelve high, chimney-like towers, which are reminiscent of the former brick production at the site (Birmingham Wheels Park). Where possible, historic bricks are to be reused.

The towers, known as "chimneys", take on several functions: They support the roof, house stairs and elevators and are part of a passive ventilation concept.

The Powerhouse Stadium is being designed by Heatherwick Studio in collaboration with MANICA.

Lockable and movable

Inside, the Powerhouse Stadium focuses on an intense spectator experience. The steep, compact spectator bowl brings the fans as close as possible to the pitch and creates an enclosed atmosphere. High-performance acoustic solutions are designed to enhance the atmosphere while limiting noise pollution for the surrounding area.

A closable roof and a movable pitch enable flexible forms of use and a wide variety of events, from soccer and other sports to international concerts and major events. This clearly positions the stadium as a multifunctional arena that can be used all year round.

A special highlight: one of the towers will house an elevator to the highest bar in Birmingham - including a panoramic view of the city and a multimedia presentation of local history.

The stadium as a public space

The central concern of all those involved is to fill the stadium with life not only on match days. A publicly accessible urban space is being created around the Powerhouse Stadium that can be used throughout the week. The plans include food markets, restaurants, cafés, recreation areas and play areas for children. The stadium will thus become a social meeting place and an integral part of the neighborhood.

As the anchor project of the Birmingham Sports Quarter, the new stadium will have an impact far beyond soccer. In addition to the stadium, training centers for competitive and youth sports as well as mixed-use neighborhood developments are planned.

Completion of the Powerhouse Stadium is ambitiously scheduled for the start of the 2030/2031 season. A comprehensive participation program with fans and local residents is due to start this year.

With its strong connection to the local identity, innovative engineering and a clear opening to the city, the Powerhouse Stadium sees itself as Birmingham's new landmark.

And on a grand scale.

Project data

Designer

Heatherwick Studio

Designer

Manica

Building owner
Birmingham City Football Club
Address

Powerhouse Stadium
1 Adderley Rd S
Birmingham B8 1AD
United Kingdom

Opening

2025

Render

Heatherwick Studio
Mir
Devisual

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
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Grand Ballroom Tirana

18 Dec 2025 | Design, Sports Halls

Grand Ballroom in Tirana

Urban Hybrid

 

MVRDV

With “The Grand Ballroom”, Tirana gains a highly expressive piece of contemporary architecture that merges sports infrastructure, housing, hospitality, and public space into a single, compact volume. The spherical design by MVRDV establishes a strong urban landmark while responding precisely to functional, spatial, and urban-planning requirements.

Google Maps

Sport as an Urban Catalyst

Located in the Albanian capital, the project replaces the existing Asllan Rusi Sports Palace with a new mixed-use building conceived as a spherical urban block with a diameter of more than 100 meters. At its core lies a 6,000-seat arena designed for basketball and volleyball, surrounded by complementary programs including residential units, a hotel, retail spaces, and publicly accessible outdoor areas.

With a gross floor area of approximately 90,200 m², the project represents one of the largest and most ambitious mixed-use developments in Albania, positioning sport as a driver for urban regeneration and social interaction.

An Iconic Geometry

The spherical geometry is not merely a formal gesture but a strategic urban decision. The absence of a “backside” allows the building to address its surroundings equally on all sides, strengthening its relationship with the city. The compact footprint enables high spatial efficiency on a dense inner-city site while freeing up ground-level space for public use.

Towards the base, the volume recedes to create plazas, stepped seating areas, and outdoor sports facilities, activating the public realm. Upper-level setbacks generate generous terraces for residential use, providing shading and transitional spaces between interior and exterior.

Layered Spatial Organization

Internally, the building follows a clear vertical layering of functions. A sunken public plaza forms the base, surrounded by a continuous ring of retail, gastronomy, and service spaces that support both everyday use and event operations. Above this level sits the main arena, with two additional training halls integrated beneath the seating tiers.

The arena is topped by two hotel floors that maintain a visual connection to the sports hall via a large central oculus. This opening can be adjusted to meet acoustic and climatic requirements, reinforcing the spatial dialogue between sport and hospitality.

Living Within the Double Shell

The residential units are embedded within the double-shell structure of the sphere, enclosing a semi-open interior courtyard conceived as a communal green space. Large openings within the building envelope enhance natural ventilation and daylight while creating shared social areas for residents.

Apartments are oriented either outward toward panoramic city views or inward toward the courtyard and arena. The uppermost levels accommodate predominantly maisonette-style apartments with private roof terraces, emphasizing the vertical gradation from public to private space.

A Contemporary Urban Landmark

With The Grand Ballroom, MVRDV proposes a typology that fuses arena architecture with urban living. The project redefines the sports venue as an integral component of the city fabric—simultaneously a place for events, everyday life, and public interaction—contributing a strong architectural identity to Tirana’s evolving urban landscape.

Project data

Architect

MVRDV
Achterklooster 7
Rotterdam
NL- South Holland 3011 RA

Client

Trema Tech shpk
Likado BV 
Albanian Capital Group shpk 
BCN Investments BV

Partner

UDV
DERBI-E 
Ramboll

Artist

Helidon Xhixha

Staff

MVRDV: Winy Maas, Bertrand Schippan, Stavros Gargaretas, Catherine Drieux, Piotr Janus, Americo Iannazzone, Angel Sanchez Navarro, Ana Melgarejo Lopez, Sylvain Totaro, Lola Elisa Cauneac, Miguel del Campo Grijalbo, Stanisław Rochala, Maria Stamati, Antonio Luca Coco, Angelo La Delfa, Luana La Martina, Jaroslaw Jeda, Stefano Fiaschi, Ciprian Buzdugan

Address
Asllan Rusi Sports Palace

Rruga Ali Kolonja
Tirana
Albanien
Visualisations

MVRDV

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
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Holy Water

5 Aug 2025 | Design, Pools

Sint-Franciscus van Assisikerk in Heerlen

Holy water

 

MVRDV & Zecc Architecten

More and more churches are falling out of use. Why not give them a new social purpose? A public swimming pool like Holy Water is certainly a great idea: swimming on your back beneath the church vaults, with views of colorful stained-glass windows — a completely new spatial experience.

Google Maps

Transformation

MVRDV and Zecc Architecten won the competition to repurpose the Sint-Franciscus van Assisi Church in Heerlen. The concept, called “Holy Water,” envisions transforming the vacant church building into a public swimming pool—while preserving the listed historic structure.

The church was built over 100 years ago and has not been used for its original purpose since 2023. The city of Heerlen now sees “Holy Water” as an opportunity to breathe new life into the church with its distinctive silhouette at the city center. The planned swimming hall will not only relieve the already heavily frequented municipal pools but will also become part of a larger urban renewal strategy.

Preservation

The design for Holy Water features a glowing, circular canopy above the main entrance—a symbol of the connection between past and present. Inside, visitors pass through the nave to reach the changing rooms and the café, which are located in the rear part of the church. Glass walls separate these areas from the climate-controlled central swimming hall.

The pool’s adjustable floor allows for a variety of uses—from a children’s splash area to an event space. When fully raised, the floor creates a completely flat surface that can also be used for cultural events. Additionally, the surface can be flooded with a thin layer of water, producing a stunning reflection of the church interior. Visitors then get the sensation of walking on water.

Backstroke

The old church pews have found new life in the glass partitions: on one side they serve as seating for swimmers, and on the other, for spectators. Even the pulpit is repurposed as an elevated station for the lifeguard.

A major challenge lies in sustainably heating the church interior while protecting the historic materials from moisture. Glass walls create a thermal barrier to safeguard the stained glass windows and artworks.

The roof is insulated from the outside to reduce heat loss while preserving the original masonry visible inside. The wooden roof structure remains intact and is enhanced with sound-absorbing elements to improve acoustics. All building services, including air handling, are discreetly housed in the basement.

In short, Holy Water gains an energy-efficient, comfortable design without compromising the church’s historic fabric.

Opening is planned for late 2027.

Project data

Architect

 MVRDV & Zecc Architecten

Winy Maas, Gideon Maasland, Gijs Rikken, Magda Porcoțeanu, Justin Vermeulen, Bart Kellerhuis, Roy van Maarseveen, Thijmen Hilhorst

Client

City of Heerlen

Opening

2027

Address

Sint-Franciscus van Assisikerk
Laanderstraat 33
6411 VA Heerlen
Niederlande

Illustrations

MVRDV

Text

MVRDV

Plans

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Las Vegas Ballpark

16 Apr 2024 | Design, Sports Grounds, Stadiums

Las Vegas Ballpark

Vegas, Baby

 

 

BIG & HNTB

Las Vegas is the place where there are few limits to fantasy. That's why the Las Vegas Ballpark fits right in.

Google Maps
The Couch by MVRDVPhoto: ©Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee

The famed Las Vegas Strip will soon be the home of the new Las Vegas Ballpark for the Oakland A’s by architecture firms Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and HNTB. Once complete, the project will be the new home of Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics, and echo the vibrancy of the ‘Entertainment Capi­tal of the World,’ exuding an outdoor feel with panoramic views of the city’s skyline.

The 33,000-capacity covered ballpark will sit on nine acres on Las Vegas Boulevard between Tropicana Avenue and Reno Avenue. The expected opening date is spring 2028.

 The new Las Vegas Ballpark’s roof is accentuated by five overlapping shells resembling baseball pennants, paying homage to the sport. For players, these arched “pennants” will attenuate direct sunlight glare while welcoming indirect natural light through northern oriented clerestory windows. The domed ballpark is also designed to feature the world’s largest cable net glass wall. The structure’s exterior metal cladding shimmers in the natural daylight and reflects the surrounding Las Vegas lights at night.

The design represents a captivating ballpark concept, seamlessly blending innovation and technology with an enhanced fan experience. It is conceived in response to the unique culture and climate of the city. Five pennant arches enclose the ballpark - shading from the Nevada sun while opening to the soft daylight from the north. A giant window frames a majestic view of the life of The Strip and the iconic New York New York hotel skyline. All direct sunlight is blocked, while all the soft daylight is allowed to wash the field in natural light.

The resultant architecture is like a spherical armadillo - shaped by the local climate - while opening and inviting the life of The Strip to enter and explore. In the city of spectacle, the A’s ‘armadillo’ is designed for passive shad­ing and natural light - the architectural response to the Nevada climate generating a new kind of vernacular icon in Vegas.

An elevated outdoor plaza connects to the bridges over Las Vegas and Tropicana Boulevards, directing fans to the ballpark’s main concourse, where a large glass atrium pulls the city into the venue. This entrance sequence will immediately orient fans in the ballpark, allowing views of the entire field and seating bowl upon entry while optimizing wayfinding and circulation.

Secondary north and south entrances are marked by “bouncing” arches to increase visitor accessibility and promote a connection to the outdoors. Once inside, fans are met with bright, open atria, which will also serve as multipurpose exhibition spaces to showcase international and local artists.

The ballpark will be a climate-controlled, state-of-the-art facility that will house a variety of events and guest experiences. By opening up the roof structure, the architects aim to capture the energy of the iconic Las Vegas Strip and create a unique synergy between its events and the surrounding city. The new Las Vegas Ballpark  will push the boundaries for enjoying baseball and contribute to a more interactive and spectacular urban experience in Las Vegas.

 Las Vegas is where the imagination runs free, characterized by bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences. The A's new ballpark will be filled with unique settings for the social interplay between, sport, spectacle and entertain­ment.

The Couch by MVRDVPhoto: ©Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee
The Couch by MVRDVPhoto: ©Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee

Project data

Architects

BIG 
Bjarke Ingels, Daniel Sundlin, Leon Rost,  Aran Coakley, Frankie Sharpe, Jan Klaska, Ricardo Palma,  Ahmad Tabbakh, Alan Maedo, Bernardo Schuhmacher, Catrina Nelson, Don Chen, Douglass Alligood, Ema Bakalova, Hongye Wu, Hudson Parris, Jeff Tao, Margaret Tyrpa, Matthew Lau, Paul Heberle, Pooya Aledavood, Sunghwan Um, Thomas McMurtrie, Yuzaburo Tanaka

HNTB 
Lanson Nichols, Brad Albers, Emily Louchart, Jeff Goode, Stephanie Schneidereit, Bryan Rincon, Phil Perkins, Donovan Brook, Jack Swezy, Jimena Dorador, Robbie Powell

Client

Okland Athletics

Opening

2028

Address

Las Vegas Ballpark
USA - NV 89109

Visualisation

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Text

BIG

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Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo

9 Feb 2021 | Design, Sports Grounds, Stadiums

Modern World

Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in Santiago

 

 

 

IDOM

Situation

The Universidad Católica Sports Club, founded in 1937, inaugurated its current stadium in 1988, known as the San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium.

After more than three decades of activity, the club decided that it needed a renovation. For this reason it held a competition in which nine offices were presented, and the IDOM proposal was selected.

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Importance

With this renovation, the management team of Cruzado intends to modernize the Stadium and its surroundings, making it a multipurpose venue, which will be an architectural landmark for the town of Las Condes and the city of Santiago, providing value and services to the Community, the perfect place to organize high-level sporting events, while generating new income.

“The new stadium will be a quality architectural icon for the community, visible from the environment and respectful of it, inspired by the traditional materials of Chilean architecture while looking to the future of football in the country,” says César Azcárate.

Location

From an architectural perspective, the project is conceived in section due to its location at the foot of the Cordillera, on a slight slope and looking towards the city of Santiago.

For this, a main building is configured, which is shown towards the city and which houses a large part of the hospitality uses.

Volume

Starting from the current Stadium, anchored to the ground as if it were a Greek amphitheater, the new needs, the new uses and the increase in capacity, from 14,000 to 20,000 spectators, generates a volume that is perceived as unitary, light and elevated with respect to what exists.

In this sense, the use of wood as the main element in the façade and the roof structure allows dialogue to be established between the tectonic and the light, while also being a sustainable resource, in line with the whole approach to the modernization of the Stadium.

From being open to being closed

A continuous boulevard is designed that allows access to all the upper part of the lower stands and that represents the line that separates what is linked to the ground from what is elevated. The new volumetric configuration will allow the stadium to go from being open to being closed covering the stands, generating a better football atmosphere, better acoustics and greater comfort for spectators. The stadium will also be 7/365, economically sustainable and with a wide range of hospitality activities.

Outlook

The construction works are scheduled to begin during the first half of 2022 and end in the second half of 2023, allowing the new venue to host some sports events of the Pan American Games to be held in Santiago in October of that year.

We did this.

Project data

Architect

IDOM

Client

CD Universidad Católica

Physical address

Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo
Circunvalación Las Flores 13000
Las Condes
Región Metropolitana
Chile

Author

IDOM

© IDOM

Photos

Video

Contact

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Address
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Am Weitkamp 17
D-44795 Bochum

Phone
+49 234 5466 0374
+49 172 4736 332

Mail
contact@moresports.network

Nou Camp Nou

11 Jan 2021 | Design, Design

Forwards to nature

Nou Camp Nou in Barcelona

 

 

 

ON-A

Situation

Barcelona currently has just over 6m² of green areas per inhabitant. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), cities should have a minimum of 9m².

The ON-A proposal for the Nou Camp Nou (Nou Parc), a forest that would cover the Camp Nou in Barcelona, ​​aims to turn the area into a great green lung using bioarchitecture as a strategy for renaturation.

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Strategy

According to the ON-A philosophy, the renaturation of cities and the creation of quality spaces for its citizens is not just an interesting idea, but a need.

Nou Camp Nou aims to show how nature can return to cities without absorbing additional space.

Topography

The Nou Camp Nou project shows how nature would come back to cities without losing buildable space, raising the topography and creating a blanket of green forest above the stadium and its facilities, which would remain below the surface of the new park.

Currently this area is a closed concrete space and only 8% of green areas. Consequently, an “island” effect is generated, separating the neighborhoods of Les Corts and Zona Universitaria.

Collapse and conversion

The space is huge and is in disuse most of the time, except during sport events or private visits to its facilities. Neighbors often experience collapse when the space comes into operation during major events.

The conversion of this area would provide a great opportunity for the city of Barcelona, ​​which would gain a new green space capable of connecting neighborhoods while producing 15,000kg oxygen/day and absorb 25,000kg of C02/day.

Facilities

Inside Nou Parc Nou you could walk or run along a 2.4km route, stretch in green areas and picnic in reserved areas, in addition to enjoy a 360º panoramic view at the highest point of the park, which culminates around the stadium.

The two lakes would help to cool the temperature and help the development and maintenance of the area, as well as being natural collectors of rainwater, which could be reused for the irrigation and maintenance of the park.

Conclusion

This project helps to create a new permeability that would allow the connection between the two neighborhoods of Les Corts and the University Area, apart from giving more value to their neighbors and to the city of Barcelona itself without affect mobility and current logistics.

Nou Camp Nou turns the journey to FC Barcelona matches into a spectacular experience. On all other days, this project is just a great park.

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Project data

Architect

ON-A
C/ Doctor Rizal, 8, local 1
ESP - 08006 Barcelona

Project team

Jordi Fernández, Eduardo Gutiérrez
Luciana Teodózio, Georgina Morales, Saul Ajuría, Ernest Ruiz, Javier Bernal, Claudia Antonacci, Natalia Cambello

Physical address

Camp Nou
C. d'Arístides Maillol, 12
ESP-08028 Barcelona

Author

ON-A

Video

Contact

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Address
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Am Weitkamp 17
D-44795 Bochum

Phone
+49 234 5466 0374
+49 172 4736 332

Mail
contact@moresports.network

Campus de Braak

2 Dec 2020 | Design, Installations & Events, Stadiums

Next chapter

Campus de Braak in Helmond

 

 

 

Moederscheim Moonen

About

The municipality council of Helmond in The Netherlands has given the green light for Campus de Braak in Helmond. The plans for the project were put on hold at the beginning of this year after a difference of opinion with parther professional soccer club Helmond Sport about the program of requirements, the design and the business case.

MoederscheimMoonen Architects, FaulknerBrowns and CULD were asked to team up to create a design tailored to the new brief. Now that the city council also supports the renewed plan, the project can restart.

Moederscheim Moonen

Organisation

In the design, the number of seats has been reduced to 3,600 places which creates more space for the business areas for Helmond Sport. Additional space has also been created for the youth academy of the soccer club. With the collaboration of the municipality of Helmond, the OMO school group and the other users, a new design has been developed which is centered around multi-functionality.

In addition, the exterior has also been developed. Despite the fact that there are now only two large stands, the campus exudes a 'stadium feeling' through the dynamic verticality of the façades. In the case of expansion in the future, two new stands can be added in the current building envelope.

FaulknerBrowns

Multi-functionality

Multi-functionality is the essence of the new campus. The campus will be home to Helmond Sport and the Helmond Practice School. The design includes a NOC * NSF sports hall where the amateur football clubs Helmondia and Mulo will be accommodated. Additionally, a new location for JvdI De Fysioclub will be created. Space for individual sports and relaxation is also incorporated with the addition of a running track and shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.

The new building is surrounded by a central corridor that connects all entryways with each other and the surrounding neighborhoods. Thanks to the connection between the campus and the surrounding area, Campus de Braak will become an accessible meeting and recreational environment for the entire city.

CULT

We did this.

Project data

Architect

Moederschein Moonen Architects
FaulknerBrowns
CULD

Client

Gemeente Helmond

Physical address

Sportpark de Braak 5
NL - 5703 DX Helmond

Contact

What else can we do for you?

Address
More Sports Media
Am Weitkamp 17
D-44795 Bochum

Phone
+49 234 5466 0374
+49 172 4736 332

Mail
contact@moresports.network

Xi’an International Football Centre

20 Aug 2020 | Design, Sports Grounds, Stadiums

Welcoming

Xi’an International Football Centre

Zaha Hadid Architects

Situation

The new Xi’an International Football Centre will be 60,000-seat stadium for national and international matches as well as domestic league games, youth training academies, entertainment performances and cultural events. The centre will be located in Xi’an's Fengdong New District with its stations on the city’s expanding metro network.

With a population of nine million people and two professional football clubs, Xi’an will be a host city of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in China. Taking its legacy mode of operations as the starting point of the design, the stadium has been designed to provide optimum conditions for football and maximize its use by generations after the 2023 tournament.

Open façades

Integrated within the orthogonal urban grid of Fengdong’s business district, Xi’an International Football Centre`s open façades invite the city into the heart of the building to enjoy its public spaces, recreation and dining facilities throughout the day. Located in a series of shaded south-facing garden terraces with views over the city to Qing Mountain, these amenities will also serve spectators visiting the stadium during football matches, cultural events and performances.

The sweeping lines of the façade protect the stadium from northerly winds and convey the fluid forms of the roof that shelters the saddle-shaped seating bowl which maximizes the spectator seating provided at midfield.

Roof

The design employs an ultra-lightweight long span cable-net roof structure, resulting in a minimum load and material footprint that in turn reduces the stadium’s primary structure. Wide perimeter roof overhangs shelter facilities within the building's envelope while the large, shaded, open-air terraces and public concourses incorporates extensive planting on all levels, providing comfortable conditions in Xi’an’s hot continental summer climate.

Supported by the tensioned cable-net structure, a translucent membrane over the seating protects spectators from inclement weather and direct sunlight while also allowing the most amount of natural light to reach the playing surface, promoting the growth of grass on the pitch to provide playing conditions of the highest standard.

Geometry

Digital modelling has defined the geometry of the spectators’ seating bowl to optimize proximity and views to the field of play from all 60,000 seats, generating the most exciting atmosphere for football and ensuring an outstanding match experience for all players and spectators.

China’s ancient capital and core of the Silk Road, Xi’an has a long history of welcoming visitors from around the world. In the global arena of football, the Xi’an International Football Centre continues this tradition and builds a lasting legacy of new civic spaces, sports and recreational facilities for the city.

We did this.

Project data

Architect

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

Patrik Schumacher, Charles Walker, Nils Fischer
Jakub Klaska, Lei Zheng
Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Jianfei Chu, Chun-Yen Chen, Hung-Da Chien, Marina Dimopoulou, Cesar Fragachan, Michael Forward, Matthew Gabe, Stratis Georgiou, Charles Harris, Yen-fen Huang, Han Hsun Hsieh, Yihoon Kim, Henry Louth, Martha Masli, Mauro Sabiu, Xin Swift, Adeliia Papulzan, Pablo Agustin Vivas

Partner Architect

Intelligent Design for Emerging Architecture (iDEA)

Yan Gao, Jianyou Yang, Bin Wu, Fiona Huang, Jingshan Zhong, Shishang Deng, Qiongli Lu, Ting Liu, Xinyu Kou, Daria Morkovkina, Haixia Zhang

Address

Xi’an International Football Centre
CN - Fengdong, Xi’an

Author

Zaha Hadid Architects

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