Atelier Ferret create design to transform iconic foorball venue

In France, the Gabriel Montpied Stadium, a historic venue for Clermont’s football, is undergoing a transformation designed by Tenderstream member Atelier Ferret. Centred around the Gergovie Stand, an iconic element of local architectural and sporting heritage, the design is inspired by the majestic volcanic landscape of the Puys mountain range. Delivered in three phases on an occupied site, the ambitious project aims to embody a balance between conservation, landscape design, and innovation, providing a new 25,000-seat venue, plus 7,000 seats in the existing stand. With works now underway, the stadium surroundings are gradually taking shape. 

Envisaged as a landscape stadium, situated within a 17 ha public park, the facility serves as a catalyst for sporting activities, accessible to all. A tree-lined embankment guides the public towards the lower concourse. To the south, the embankment rises to house the ticket office and a dining area, reinforcing the connection between the stadium and the city. Along the axis of the east stand, it rises again to accommodate a multifunctional sports complex.

The main stadium extension is composed of slender white metal V-shaped porticos, giving the façades a gentle inclination that echoes steep volcanic slopes. The metal beams and white fabric roof slope slightly towards the pitch, evoking the elliptical depression of volcanic craters. To accommodate the three-phase extension, the roof is composed of three segments that form a coherent whole, whether assembled or independently. On match nights, the roof is illuminated by LED spotlights in fiery colours, creating a dramatic scenography.

The use of embankments and green roofs, integration of low-carbon concrete for the stands and wood for the gymnasium, and connection to the urban heat network (59% of which is powered by wood energy) reflect the project’s environmental commitment. The rainwater harvesting system for irrigating green spaces and the incorporation of natural and double-flow ventilation systems contribute to energy performance.

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 06.02.2019 here

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