Acting as the centerpiece of the $120 million-plus Eco Park development in Stroud, UK, a soccer stadium constructed almost entirely of wood is looking to become the greenest in the world. The architect, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), won a design competition for the opportunity to design the new home of the Forest Green Rovers.
Being constructed almost completely from wood is not just a first for a soccer stadium, but for any sports stadium anywhere in the world. All of the timber for the project will be ethically and sustainably sourced. One of the few non-wood elements of the structure is a transparent membrane that will cover the roof and provide shade while still allowing for the turf on the playing surface to grow.
The stadium, which can be used year-round for additional activities other than soccer, will have a capacity of 5,000 people and aims to be carbon neutral or even carbon negative. To help achieve this goal, there will be on-site renewable energy generation
According to ecotricity, the project’s developer, the stadium will have the lowest embodied carbon of any stadium in the world and will hopefully spur other eco-friendly development of a similar nature in the Eco Park development, which spans 100 acres and will be used mainly as a center for sports and sports science. Opposite of the sports and sports science segment of the park will be a green technology business park with sustainably built commercial offices and industrial units. It is estimated Eco Park’s business section has the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs. A nature reserve is also included in the overall Eco Park proposal.
ZHA’s design for the new stadium was selected from over 50 entries submitted by firms from around the world.
Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
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