974 STADIUM - Fenwick Iribarren Architects

Sports

974 STADIUM HAS BECOME THE FIRST DESMOUNTABLE STADIUM IN A WORLD CUP. IT HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE SUCCESS, BECOMING THE FAVORITE STADIUM OF FANS AND PLAYERS DUE TO ITS ORIGINAL AND DISTINCTIVE DESIGN.

Client Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
Location Doha Qatar
Size 137.000M₂
Spectators 40.000
Status Finished

Fenwick Iribarren Architects, in collaboration with Schlaich Bergermann Partner and Hilson Moran, received the commission from the Supreme Committee to design Stadium 974. It was a significant challenge for us to find systems compatible with the competition’s requirements. At the same time, we realized that in previous World Cups, stadiums were often abandoned and gradually deteriorated due to lack of use once the soccer tournament was over.

About the project

The main goal was to create a socially functional stadium based on the following concepts: modularity, mobility, legacy, functionality, and iconic image.
We initially thought of the children’s lego game, where different structures are generated by combining pieces. We aimed to find materials that could provide us with the flexibility to create this stadium while keeping in mind the challenge of making it completely demountable.

That’s when we thought of using shipping containers to build a stadium using elements that can be easily assembled or disassembled as needed.

STADIUM 974 IS THE SOLUTION TO THE ABANDONED “WHITE ELEPHANTS” THAT REMAIN AFTER THE EVENT IN COUNTRIES HOSTING WORLD CUPS.

To meet the aforementioned requirements, we developed a concept in which the primary uses of the building are incorporated into shipping containers. These containers, being standard units with various lengths, allow us design modularity, easy transport by ship from the factory to Doha, and smooth transfer from the port to our site, which is located by the sea. Containers have been used in many architectural designs, but never in a football stadium.

By combining three units, we could create the different spaces required by FIFA. We used containers of 20, 30, and 40 feet, with the 40-foot containers being the most commonly used due to their ability to accommodate more program space. Each use is distinguished by different container colors.

The idea was inspired by the concept of a traveling circus. The circus arrives, sets up the tents, performs the show, dismantles, and moves to another location.

Our stadium follows the same concept of a traveling circus. All the pieces can be easily disassembled and transported to other host cities for future World Cups, making it more sustainable and economically viable for other countries. The infrastructure built for the World Cup increases the land’s sale value and becomes a valuable asset for selling future developments, recovering part of the initial investment.

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