Stadium Architecture: Uniting the community with the game!

By Ar. Vinita Wagh

Renders: Courtesy the architect

Read Time: 2 mins

Dakar Stadium (inset) l-r: Architects Melkan Gürsel & Murat Tabanlıoğlu

Stade Du Senegal in the city of Diamniadio aims to catalyse the masterplan, establishing a nexus between the stadium area and the immediate urban tissue through visual cues and social influence.

Designed by Tabanlioglu Architects, in accordance with FIFA and CAF standards for the African Cup of Nations, the project attends to vehicle and crowd movement, parking, maintenance and access for the overall precinct.

With a gross capacity of 50,000 spectators, the stadium envelopes a football pitch of size 105m x 68m. Its bowl design stimulates an exciting atmosphere championed by natural light and material sensation, while optimizing sightlines to facilitate excellent views. 

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Accessed by 40 separate entry portals, the tiered stadium accommodates F&B concessions evenly distributed across the concourses, annexed facilities for players, skyboxes for VIP spectators and media facilities. 

Bearing in mind the visitor’s experience and comfort, the entire precinct embodies a dynamic ‘fan zone’, a place that builds anticipation even before spectators enter the stadium. A public park surrounding the envelope’s outer periphery attempts to extend this connection to the neighbouring community even on non-match days. The hard and soft landscaping enhances the character of the precinct - the inclusive public space integrating people, sports, city identity and nature. On the larger scale, the facility also establishes associations with the leisure and commercial zone. 

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The curvilinear façade comprises of multilayers of metal mesh panels, allowing for softer edges. Light projects and diffusers on the surface, bring into focus the illuminated shell and its dynamic façade, elevating the visitor experience and grounding the identity of the architecture.

To secure an operating life of at least 50 years, the architects employ robust, long lasting finishes, materials and components while simultaneously implementing sustainable design principles that commit to conserving energy, materials, water and ecology and bring about operational efficiency and reduction in waste.

The project is anticipated to be complete by August 2021.