The final stadium in our World Cup series is a striking design by Fenwick Iribarren, adapted and implemented by BDP Pattern
This stadium was originally designed by Spanish practice, Fenwick Iribarren. However, after the client changed the procurement route to design and build, the final design and implementation of the project went to BDP Pattern. Although the appearance of the stadium remained largely unaltered, BDP Pattern significantly reduced the size of the building.
Fenwick Iribarren worked on two other World Cup stadiums, and BDP Pattern also designed the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. In contrast to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which has a lighter and more porous facade treatment, the Education City Stadium is muscular and brooding. Externally it is low key and restrained compared with some of the other venues. It is certainly one of the more architecturally coherent stadiums, with clear, clean lines and a logical and unfussy design approach.
Once the World Cup is over, this stadium will be downsized from a 40,000 to 20,000 capacity, and given over to use by a range of different sports and higher education insitutions as part of its role within the wider Education City campus. The 20,000 surplus seats will be donated and repurposed to help create new sports stadiums in the developing world.
BDP Pattern say that the stadium was conceived as a ”shimmering diamond”, but this building looks more industrial chic or sci-fi than gemstone.
Architect and heritage advocate Ursula Bowyer, who has died aged 99, pursued a career in postwar London and contributed to the conservation of Greenwich and Blackheath. Ana Francisco Sutherland reflects on a life shaped by resilience and civic engagement
Ben Tosland considers how High Tech architecture, once defined by its flexibility and futuristic spirit, is now entering the realm of heritage, and what that means for its conservation
No comments yet