Qatar
‘Lusail Stadium expresses an image of creativity and innovation’
‘Lusail Stadium expresses an image of creativity and innovation’
August 30, 2022 | 09:39 PM
Lusail Stadium – the venue for the FIFA World Cup final on December 18 – will provide an immersive atmosphere for both players and fans, according to an architect involved in the project.
Luke Fox, senior executive partner and head of Studio at Foster + Partners, the British firm which provided the inspiration for the stadium’s design, spoke to qatar2022.qa about the stadium’s architectural journey.Fox, who has been involved with the Lusail Stadium project from the start through to the concept stages, discusses how the 80,000-capacity venue will provide an unforgettable experience during the tournament, while playing a critical role in the local community long after the FIFA World Cup.
Now that the stadium is complete, how would you describe it? A geometrically-elegant stadium that is built for its climate. We hope that the seating bowl will delight fans and players alike. The new stadium will be an enduring symbol for the legacy of the 2022 World Cup. Also, the roof is one of the largest tensile, cable-net stadium roofs anywhere in the world. The 307m diameter ‘spoke-wheel’ roof creates a striking pattern that brings environmental comfort while also unifying the entire stadium under a single envelope. The roof’s design allows enough light in for pitch growth, while providing shade to reduce the need for air-conditioning.How will the stadium play a role in the surrounding community? Located at the end of a grand boulevard that leads from the stadium to the coast, the stadium is part of a wider urban vision for Lusail City. At night, the stadium is lit up, emitting a warm glow and creating a beacon for the city. The stadium has also been designed to allow for maximum flexibility for post-tournament uses. This includes the stadium’s seating bowl which can accommodate a wide range of mixed-uses after the tournament. This will hopefully bring social, commercial, cultural and health benefits to Lusail City after the World Cup ends.How does it feel to have worked on a FIFA World Cup final venue? We are incredibly proud to have worked on this monumental project in Qatar. With an estimated global audience of over 3bn viewers, the World Cup final presents a unique opportunity to express an image of creativity and innovation, rooted in a sense of place.We hope the people of Qatar, the players and global visitors will have a truly memorable experience, due to the highly atmospheric, immersive and intimate nature of the stadium bowl. We are delighted to have played a part in realising the host nation’s vision, to deliver a world-class tournament venue in such a unique setting.
August 30, 2022 | 09:39 PM