Football in the desert
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Zaha Hadid Architects and AECOM have been selected to act as design consultants on the Al Wakrah Stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Stadium in Qatar.
Located on a site 12 miles south of Doha, the stadium will hold 45,000 spectators during the international sporting event and be reduced to a capacity of 20,000 spectators after the FIFA World Cup has come to a close. The stadium will be designed by Albert Speer & Partner GmbH with AECOM and Zaha Hadid Architects as design consultants.
As with all new-build stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sustainability is integral to this scheme. Cooling-technology systems will be integrated throughout with climatecontrol requirements for renewable energy production.
Another fundamental element of the design is the incorporation of traditional Islamic architecture into an otherwise modern structure. Al Wakrah has a plethora of historical buildings, distinctive mosques and archaeological sites and these will be evidenced throughout the new stadium. The city sought a design that would not disrupt the legacy of the area.
The stadium campus will infuse green space into the desert domain, creating lush forested areas for the community to enjoy. The forested perimeter will also help cool the area while producing fresh oxygen and helping to filter the air.
The stadium itself will feature a perforated double skin, which is expected to filter in light and encourage cross breezes. Construction is set to begin this year.
ECOWAN