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Qatar 2022 and AS&P release proposals for five stadiums in bid for FIFA World Cup 2022
2022 may seem a long way off, but that hasn’t stopped Qatar 2022 from releasing the concept designs for its proposed stadiums, should the country win the bid to host the FIFA World Cup at this time. Designed by Albert Speer & Partner GmbH, the stadiums display striking and dramatic facades and incorporate state-of-the-art technology in an effort to stand out from the crowd bidding to host this popular tournament.
Unveiled at ‘Sport Accord’, the world’s largest sporting convention in Dubai, designs for the five stadiums each boast a different distinctive feature, be it a specially designed membrane to present current match footage, updates and tournament information, or an entrance linked to the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge, which is set to be the longest free-standing bridge in the world. Each one has either been inspired by a specific element of Qatari culture and tradition, or acts as a symbol to the rest of the world of the relationship that Qatar shares with the competing nations.
The structures are set to exploit the extreme environmental conditions in Qatar by channelling the sunlight to generate a large portion of the stadiums power using solar technology. Using innovative climate control technology, temperatures within the stadiums are set to stay below 28°C, despite the nation's fierce heat, making the 2022 FIFA World Cup the first ever cooled outdoor sporting event. To ensure a lasting impression, Qatar 2022 have proposed that post-World Cup, many modular components of the stadiums no longer needed will be dismantled and shipped to other countries in order to promote football development.
At this point, AS&P have presented designs for five football stadiums located across Qatar, two of which are adaptations of existing buildings. The Al Rayyan Stadium is currently situated 20km northwest of the capital, Doha. Plans are to adapt the existing building, surrounding it in a membrane-like structure onto which will be projected match updates, tournament information and other filmic material. Its current capacity it set to be doubled in size by incorporating additional modular components to increase capacity to 44,740.
Courtesy of hhvision, Cologne
The second adaptation suggested by AS&P will include Al Gharafa, close to the city of Doha. Also set to double in capacity to 44,740 using a modular upper tier stand, the facade of the existing stadium is to be transformed into a vivid explosion of colour. Ribbon-like elements are to be woven around the circumference of the structure, displaying all the colours of the competing teams, to symbolise the ‘friendship, mutual tolerance and respect of the FIFA World Cup and Qatar’.
Courtesy of hhvision, Cologne
Designs for three brand new sports complexes have also been drawn up by AS&P. Al Shamal, a 45,120 capacity stadium in the north of Qatar has been inspired by the traditional local fishing boats of the Gulf, ‘dhows’. The dramatic façade swoops up at opposite ends, creating an impressively powerful and indeed rather intimidating statement. Around 10% of visitors to the stadium are predicted to arrive at Al Shamal via the world's longest free-standing bridge - the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge.
Courtesy of hhvision, Cologne
Designs for Al Wakrah suggest not only a singular stadium but rather an extensive sports complex, including a multi-purpose hall, themed swimming-pool, spa zone and shopping mall alongside the obvious sports facilities. The entrance to the 45,000-seater stadium itself will face onto a stunning plaza, creating the sense of one large extended park.
Courtesy of hhvision, Cologne
Last, but by no means least, is the design for Al Khor, whose seashell-inspired asymmetrical structure is set in landscaped gardens and is set to hold 45,330 football fans. Some spectators will also benefit from the flexible roof above the stadium, shading them from the intense heat of the Qatari sun.
Courtesy of hhvision, Cologne
Qatar 2022 Chief Executive, Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, said: “All our state-of-the-art stadia will be linked to a brand new metro system and totally integrated with a comprehensive shuttle bus network, allowing fans to travel to games by public transport. Fans will be able to watch more than one game in a day while staying in the same accommodation throughout the tournament. We have also designed our new stadia with legacy front of mind and, with their modular design, can be reduced in size after the World Cup to fit local football and community requirements and, in some cases, transported abroad for permanent use. What we have unveiled today is just a foretaste of the much wider plans we will be unveiling in the coming weeks.”
In December 2010, FIFA will make their final decision as to which of the 11 bidding nations are to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Sian Disson
Editorial Assistant
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