THE DEMOUNTABLE AND REUSABLE STADIUM DESIGNED BY THE SPANISH FIRM FENWICK IRIBARREN IS RENAMED THE 974 STADIUM

The demountable and reusable stadium designed by the Spanish firm Fenwick Iribarren Architects (FIA) for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, previously known as Ras Abu Aboud, is now officially named 974 Stadium.
The official inauguration took place on the 30th November, coinciding with the opening match of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021. Subsequently, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the venue will host seven matches up to the round of 16 in the championship.

Why 974 Stadium?
974 Stadium, with a capacity for 40,000 people, is the first in the history of the FIFA World Cup to be constructed using shipping containers and is entirely demountable and reusable. It stands out for its vibrant colours and innovative, sustainable structure.

Its new name is derived from the number of shipping containers used in its development. 974 Stadium is also Qatar’s international dialling code. The name also reflects the strategic position of the stadium as the gateway to Qatar, being close to Hamad International Airport and the port of Doha.

The unique modular design used for the stadium’s construction has resulted in the use of fewer construction materials compared to traditional stadium developments. Therefore, it is an emblematic sustainability project that will inspire future organizers of major sporting events.

Many of the containers used in the construction of the venue were initially used to transport construction materials to the site. 974 Stadium has been awarded a five-star Global Sustainability Assessment System certification for both its design and construction.

The success of this project lies in conceptualizing the design as a modular concept, with identical pieces repeated throughout the stadium. This involves significant standardization of materials before construction begins, making the assembly process similar to the building set Meccano. This has significantly reduced construction times.

Each stadium piece is coded by sectors, levels, and orientation, applying to pillars, beams, prefabricated slabs, containers, etc. This ensures that the location is completely identified before construction begins, preventing errors.

This coding also facilitates the dismantling process. With each piece identified, they can be stored, and their original location is clearly known in the overall design.

The stadium uses colours closely associated with typical shipping containers: blue, green, yellow, and red. Each colour is assigned to specific uses; for example, all offices are green, bathrooms are yellow, blue indicates security and first aid rooms, and red signifies more prominent areas. We have included two additional colours for prayer areas—silver for male prayer spaces and black for female prayer spaces. The main structure of the building is black, and the inclined facade pillars, along with the roof, are white.
The structure also follows a modular system, and element joints are made with bolted systems for easy disassembly and reassembly in another location.

The facilities follow a modular system so that each container comes with its fully executed installation. On-site, they connect to the general network using a ‘plug-and-play’ system, providing rapid execution.
Containers are individually built in the factory with all necessary interior finishes completed. Elements that may be damaged during transport, such as glass or interior decoration items, are assembled on-site. For transport, a provisional lateral reinforcement structure is placed, and they are sealed tightly to prevent damage during shipping. Once on-site, these protections are removed, and they are joined in modules of three connected containers. Once connected, they are moved into their final position with a crane.

A World Cup stadium must meet strict FIFA requirements regarding the program, space dimensions, communication areas, and circulation. Due to program requirements, the VVIP and VIP rooms were not made with containers, but all necessary adjacent rooms were, including men’s and women’s bathrooms, kitchens, prayer rooms, security rooms, and medical rooms.

Circulation in a stadium is crucial, especially in this region. There is a significant differentiation between different stadium users, and, in most cases, they cannot be mixed. Therefore, there are separate circulations for players, VVIPs, VIPs, press, security, and the general public. Each user has ground-level entrances completely independent and segregated from other users. Each entrance has connections to its seating area via stairs and elevators.

Additionally, due to its innovative design as a facade-less stadium and its location by the sea, the stadium has natural ventilation, eliminating the need for cooling technology during the World Cup. Much of the stadium’s structure is made from recycled steel, and its energy-efficient system led to a 40% reduction in water usage compared to conventional stadium developments.

Once disassembled, the stadium can be used to build the same stadium anywhere in the world. Alternatively, its pieces can be used to construct various sports facilities. Since all pieces are coded, a project has been developed for assembling at least five sports facilities using all elements of the stadium. These include a 15,000-seat stadium, two athletics tracks with side stands, an indoor multi-sports pavilion, an Olympic pool pavilion, and an outdoor tennis complex. All these pavilions, along with facilities and space development, are created using existing containers.

This is the third stadium designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects (FIA) for the Qatar 2022 World Cup that is now fully completed and ready. The Al Thumama stadium was inaugurated in October 2021, and the Qatar Foundation stadium was completed in 2020.