Landmark sports facility hosts first match

Lusail Stadium in Qatar has hosted its first game in the run up to the World Cup later this year. Three Tenderstream members were involved in the stadium’s design, which was created by Foster + Partners in a joint venture with Arup, together with sports specialist Populous. 

Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, attended the game, which took place between Saudi Pro League champions, Al Hilal SFC and the Egyptian Premier League winners, Zamalek. Luke stated: “It was a delight to be at the game and see the stadium nearly filled with spectators for the first time. Our ambition was to create a striking yet simple form that reflects the building’s function, responds to the climate of Qatar and enhances the theatre of the event. The arrival experience is intuitive and immersive. Spectators enter the vessel between two tiers of seating that have been intentionally compressed to heighten the sense of drama as they emerge into the generous seating bowl flooded with natural light.”

In-depth analysis of the brief and the client’s requirements, together with an appreciation of the climatic and cultural heritage of Qatar, formed the basis of the design. The seating bowl is expressed externally as a burnished golden vessel, which sparkles against the sunlight. The façade features triangular openings that form a perforated screen to provide shade and filter dappled light on to the internal concourses. Outdoor cooling technologies are used to maximise comfort within the open-air stadium.

Access is via a broad podium designed to give spectators a grand welcome as they approach the gates. The 307-metre-diameter ‘spoke-wheel’ roof - one of the world’s largest tensile cable-net roofs in a stadium - brings environmental comfort while also unifying the stadium under a single envelope. Its outer compression ring is connected to a central tension ring by the complex cable system, which removes the need for supporting columns. 

Angus Campbell, senior partner at Foster + Partners, added: “Using the experience of redesigning Wembley Stadium with its now iconic arch, we are incredibly proud to have created a unique and instantly recognisable symbol for Qatar as host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, including the final in Lusail. Together with our joint venture partner, Arup and sports specialist Populous, we believe the stadium will be a truly memorable venue for this year’s final and many other international events in the future.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 25.04.2012 here

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