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
Related Stories
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 25, 2024
How pools can positively affect communities
Clark Nexsen senior architects Jennifer Heintz and Dorothea Schulz discuss how pools can create jobs, break down barriers, and create opportunities within communities.
Mixed-Use | Apr 9, 2024
A surging master-planned community in Utah gets its own entertainment district
Since its construction began two decades ago, Daybreak, the 4,100-acre master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, has been a catalyst and model for regional growth. The latest addition is a 200-acre mixed-use entertainment district that will serve as a walkable and bikeable neighborhood within the community, anchored by a minor-league baseball park and a cinema/entertainment complex.
Cultural Facilities | Apr 8, 2024
Multipurpose sports facility will be first completed building at Obama Presidential Center
When it opens in late 2025, the Home Court will be the first completed space on the Obama Presidential Center campus in Chicago. Located on the southwest corner of the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, the Home Court will be the largest gathering space on the campus. Renderings recently have been released of the 45,000-sf multipurpose sports facility and events space designed by Moody Nolan.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 2, 2024
How university rec centers are evolving to support wellbeing
In a LinkedIn Live, Recreation & Wellbeing’s Sadat Khan and Abby Diehl joined HOK architect Emily Ostertag to discuss the growing trend to design and program rec centers to support mental wellbeing and holistic health.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 14, 2024
First-of-its-kind sports and rehabilitation clinic combines training gym and healing spa
Parker Performance Institute in Frisco, Texas, is billed as a first-of-its-kind sports and rehabilitation clinic where students, specialized clinicians, and chiropractic professionals apply neuroscience to physical rehabilitation.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 7, 2024
Bjarke Ingels’ design for the Oakland A’s new Las Vegas ballpark resembles ‘a spherical armadillo’
Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with HNTB, the new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team will be located on the Las Vegas Strip and offer panoramic views of the city skyline. The 33,000-capacity covered, climate-controlled stadium will sit on nine acres on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 19, 2024
Sports stadium developers sweeten projects with affordable housing to gain support
In recent years, sports stadium developers have been including affordable housing in their projects to win support from local governments and community activists.
Mixed-Use | Jan 26, 2024
Entertainment districts are no longer just about sports, dining, and music
Diversity of experiences is what makes entertainment districts tick these days. That’s one reason why offices continue to be included in district proposals. And in their efforts to emerge as year-round destinations, more districts are either including residential in their proposals or supporting existing districts with housing.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 15, 2023
San Antonio Spurs’ new practice facility aims to help players win championships and maintain well-being
Designed by ZGF, the Victory Capital Performance Center uses biophilic design to promote better health and wellness on and off the court.
Giants 400 | Oct 17, 2023
Top 70 Sports Facility Construction Firms for 2023
AECOM, Turner Construction, Clark Group, Mortenson head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest sports facility contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
