The renowned studio Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for an ambitious new stadium for Manchester United, an English football team. To increase energy efficiency, a sizable covering like an umbrella will be placed over the stadium.
The stadium will be next to the team’s current 115-year-old stadium and is part of a larger regeneration project in Manchester’s Old Trafford neighbourhood. The exact plans for the original building are still unknown, but it might find a new use as a museum.
As previously stated, a huge structure resembling an umbrella will be atop the stadium. Because of this, it will have a somewhat circus tent-like appearance and be able to collect rainwater and solar energy, reducing the need for grid-based electricity. With a capacity of 100,000, the stadium will significantly surpass the current one’s capacity of slightly over 74,000.
A sizable public plaza will also be included, and the neighbourhood will be upgraded with better transportation options and the potential for up to 17,000 new residences.
“Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to delivering what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the center of a regenerated Old Trafford,” said Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.”
If all goes according to plan, the building will be completed in about five years after being manufactured and transported to the location in 160 parts via a nearby canal. The BBC reports that the stadium is anticipated to cost approximately £2 billion, or US$2.6 billion.
Foster + Partners has designed the Lusail Stadium for the Qatar World Cup football tournament final, so they undoubtedly have experience with large-scale projects like this.
