SKIN-LIKE STADIUM
05 Nov 2014
A dome-shaped stadium has been engineered to improve acoustics on the pitch, with its curving facade housing restaurants, bars, shops and a bowling alley.
Distinguished by its bulging and perforated ring form, the Borisov Football Stadium arena in Belarus has now been completed.
The stadium is dome-shaped with shimmering aluminium panels which are punctured by an arrangement of blob-shaped windows. The intention was to recreate the appearance of fabric stretched over bones.
"The skin of the dome gives an impression of a fragile stretched perforated textile pulled over the stadium skeleton," commented designers from OFIS Arhitekti.
The rounded shape was engineered to improve acoustics on the pitch, which is oriented north to south to ensure that sunlight is evenly distributed for both teams playing in a match.
Approximately 3,000 square metres of public facilities are located behind the curving facade on ground floor level, including restaurants, bars, shops, a bowling alley and a fitness centre. A naturally ventilated visitor's foyer is located on the level above, offering toilets, bars, a first-aid room and a detention area.
Accommodating a total of 13,000 seats, the upper west gallery has been reserved for press and 250 seats are reserved for VIPs. Car parking is located in the forest areas around the perimeter. Taking into account the site’s forested location, the scheme maintains as many of the existing trees as possible.
"The concept takes into account the natural advantages of the location and the existing interventions within the terrain, while maintaining as many of the existing trees on site as possible," OFIS Arhitekti commented.