Foster + Partners release golden stadium design for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Released by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the new venue will be the largest stadium during the tournament, which will kick off on 21 November 2022 and be the first to take place in the Arab world. Named Lusail Stadium, the new venue is located 15km north of central Doha, and the building will form the centerpiece of the new ultra-modern Lusail City, the construction of which is nearing completion.
"As well as being situated in the heart of the city of the future, the area holds significant cultural and historical significance for the country, as it was once the home of the founder of modern Qatar, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Al Thani," stated the SC.
Foster + Partners' golden vessel takes cues from an Arab architectural sense as much as it does from literal symbolism by celebrating the region’s ancient tradition of craftsmanship. The design features ‘fanar’ lanterns and intricately detailed bowls that have been created for centuries in the region.
Construction of the stadium is being realised by a joint venture comprising Qatari firm HBK Contracting Company and China Railway Construction Corporation, the construction is already well underway on site.
With the substructure complete, concrete superstructure and infrastructure works are progressing in all zones, while internal works have commenced in the west stand. Construction of the stadium is set to be completed in 2020.
'Symbol of an exciting future'
"With the reveal of the iconic Lusail Stadium design, today marks another significant milestone on the road to 2022. It has now been eight years since we won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and we told the world to expect amazing. With this stunning design of our showpiece stadium, I am proud today to once again be delivering on that promise," said SC secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi.
"The new stadium is a nod to our past and a symbol of an exciting future. On the very same land as the home of our nation’s founder, it sits at the heart of a brand new city. It’s a city for the future, and once the World Cup is over it will form a crucial part of the legacy of the tournament as it transforms to become the heart of a brand new community. We hope that one day, future generations look at Lusail Stadium as a source of inspiration, perseverance and innovation that enabled the transformation of Lusail into the modern city it is."
"I look forward to many more iconic milestones over the coming four years as we continue our journey towards the first World Cup in the Arab world," Al Thawadi added.
After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lusail Stadium will be transformed into a community space, including schools, shops, cafés, sports facilities and health clinics. This multi-purpose community hub will allow people to find everything they need under one roof – the original roof of the football stadium.
To make way for these new amenities, many of the stadium’s modular seats will be removed and donated to sporting projects, taking this arena’s extraordinary legacy – and a little bit of FIFA World Cup history – to locations around the world.
Article originally published on World Architecture Community.
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