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MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM LOCATION
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA ARCHITECT
IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSOTIUM WRITER
BURKHARD PICK PHOTOGRAPHER
MARCUS BREDT
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MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM LOCATION
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA ARCHITECT
IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSOTIUM WRITER
BURKHARD PICK PHOTOGRAPHER
MARCUS BREDT
ARCHITECTURE256 / JUNE 2010 / FOCUS
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001 MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSORTIUM THE ARCH FLAGS THE PRESENCE OF THE NEW STADIUM, MAKING IT AN EVOCATIVE ICON ON DURBAN’S URBAN SKYLINE, INTERPRETED BY THE MULTI-ETHNIC POPULATION AS A UNIFYING RAINBOW
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1 Moses Mabhida Durban Stadium 2 Indian Ocean 3 Station
In its competition brief of 2006, the city of Durban invited designs for a multi-functional stadium for 70,000 to 85,000 spectators that would become an architectural icon and city landmark. Our Ibhola Lethu Consortium won the competition to build the new Durban stadium, and was subsequently responsible for the design and the management of construction. This project group consisted of a total of 32 South African architectural firms plus German partners von Gerkan Marg und Partner (gmp) as consultant architects and Schlaich, Bergermann und Partner (sbp) as conceptual structural engineers. The Moses Mabhida Stadium is situated on an elevated platform in the central sports park on the shore of the Indian Ocean, and is accessed from the city and station via a broad flight of steps. A 105m arch rises high over the stadium as a landmark visible from afar. The main entrance at the south end of the 1.5km long linear park symbolizes the stadium’s gateway to the city, and is formed by the bifurcation of the huge arch. At the northern end, a cable car transports visitors to the ‘Skydeck’ at the apex of the arch. From here, you get a panoramic view of the
PREVIOUS PAGE_ The Durban Stadium redefines scale at the coastal city landscape ABOVE_ The site plan BELOW_ The translucent effect of the perforated metal facade offers visual continuity RIGHT_ View from the Indian Ocean with mixed urban developments in the background
ARCHITECTURE256 / JUNE 2010 / FOCUS
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001 MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSORTIUM AT THE NORTHERN END, A CABLE CAR TRANSPORTS VISITORS TO THE ‘SKYDECK’ AT THE APEX OF THE ARCH. FROM HERE, YOU GET A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE CITY AND INDIAN OCEAN
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playing field first tier second tier third tier radial prestressing cables
Section across the Arch
Section along the Arch
6 105 metre arch 7 perforated metal facade membrane 8 PTFE-coated roof membrane 9 VIP facilities and spectator boxes 10 concrete and steel structural system
ABOVE_ An axonometric study of the stadium TOP RIGHT_ A promenade leading to and from the stadium creates a transition of emotions BOTTOM RIGHT_ The Cable Car that transports visitors to the Skydeck to view the City and Ocean
city and the Indian Ocean. The arch flags the presence of the new stadium, making it an evocative icon on Durban’s urban skyline, interpreted by the multi-ethnic population as a unifying rainbow and, seen from above, a representation of the national flag. For the 2010 World Cup, the stadium will be fitted with seating for 70,000 spectators. Afterwards, the number will be reduced to 56,000, but can be temporarily increased to as many as 85,000 for major events. The multi-purpose stadium not only meets FIFA requirements but can also host the Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games. The building offers excellent conditions for participants, journalists and spectators, with VIP facilities, the President and Ocean Atriums (both over six stories high), clubrooms and 130 spectator boxes. The shape of the bowl results from the interaction of the circular roof structure with the triple-radius geometry of the arena. The great arch carries the weight of the inner membrane roof. The unusual geometry of the cable system is derived logically from the structure. Radial prestressing cables are attached to the external edge of the roof all
ARCHITECTURE256 / JUNE 2010 / FOCUS
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001 MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSORTIUM FROM A DISTANCE, THE EMPTY SEATS IN DIFFERENT COLORS LOOK ALREADY OCCUPIED, AND MAKE A CHEERFUL SIGHT
Roof Plan
Level 1 Plan
round the stadium and the great arch on one side and the inner edge of the roof on the other, thus forcing the latter into an almond shape. The PTFE-coated roof membrane admits 50% of the sunlight into the arena while also providing shade. The perforated façade membrane of profiled metal sheeting rises to the outer edge of the roof, forming a lively pattern of light and shadow and offering glimpses of the interior, which lends the stadium a light and airy feel. The compression ring and façade are carried on precast concrete columns below and hollow box steel columns above, the height and angle of inclination varying around the stadium from approx. 30m with a 90° inclination to about 50m with a 60° inclination. The façade membrane of perforated metal sheeting provides protection against driving rain, strong winds and direct sunlight without excluding the outside world. Inspired by the typical palette of colors of Durban’s coastal landscape, we chose a “maritime” color scheme for the seat shells, ranging from blue and green to ivory, paling from dark at the bottom to light on the top rows. From a distance, the empty seats in different colors look already occupied, and make a cheerful sight. The artificial lighting of the stadium is not just functional, but also serves to
Architects gmp – von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects Competition 2006 – 1st prize Design Volkwin Marg and Hubert Nienhoff with Holger Betz Project leaders Holger Betz, Elisabeth Menne, Burkhard Pick Team Chris Hättasch, Alberto Franco Flores, Susan Türke, Stephan Menke, Andrea Jobski, Barbara Düring, Christian Blank, Helge Letius, Martin Krebes, Nadine Sawade, Kritian Uthe-Spenker, Rüdiger von Helmolt, Andrea Jobski, Uschi Köper, Florian Schwarthoff Structural engineers Schlaich Bergermann und Partner In co-operation with IBHOLA LETHU PM JV Theunissen Jankowitz Architects Ambro Afrique Architects Osmond Lange Architects NSM Designs Mthulusi Msimang Architects, SA Project manager IBHOLA LETHU PM JV General contractor Group Five, WBHO, Pandev JV Client Municipality of Durban (eThekwini Municipality), Stategic Projects Unit Seats 70.000 Construction period 2006–2009
ARCHITECTURE256 / JUNE 2010 / FOCUS
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001 MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSORTIUM THE PTFE-COATED ROOF MEMBRANE ADMITS 50% OF THE SUNLIGHT INTO THE ARENA WHILE ALSO PROVIDING SHADE
Level 2 Plan
Level 3 Plan
ABOVE_ A view of the stadium from the Northern end reveals the city of Durban TOP RIGHT_ The illusion of the multi-coloured seats as they seem occupied from afar PREVIOUS PAGE TOP LEFT_ The artificial light silhouette at night PREVIOUS PAGE TOP RIGHT_ View from a spectator box PREVIOUS PAGE MID RIGHT_ Access to a stadium tier from the circulation alleys PREVIOUS PAGE BOTTOM RIGHT_ The artificial lighting effects inside the stadium
illuminate the architecture, floodlighting some parts and spotlighting or highlighting others. The roof surfaces on either side of the great arch are illuminated on top by a line of LEDs mounted directly on the arch. The rest of the roof membrane is lit from below by floodlights installed on the catwalk. Atmospheric quality and functional efficiency combine to put Durban’s new icon in the right light. Durban Stadium will host five first round matches, one second round and one semi-final match. In summary, the stadium design responds well to the environment maximizing natural light, cross ventilation and uses hi-tech materials that encourage recycling such as the PTFE roof membrane and other
polycarbonates. The perforated metal sheet cladding on the facades encourages visual interaction of the exterior and interior of the stadium making the stadium achieve harmony with the environment. Intensive planning has gone into ensuring that the stadium will offer versatile, multipurpose facilities able to be used for a number of sports, as well as for entertainment and other community uses, long after the final whistle of the World Cup is blown. Host cities and provinces have made contributions to stadium construction and supporting infrastructure development. Costs have been kept to a minimum, and innovative construction will ensure stadiums are versatile and cost-effective.
ABOVE_ Grand perimeter circulation offers airy space for funs to catch different views of Durban City and the Indian Ocean from the stadium
ABOVE_ The internal curtain wall is further shaded from the sun by the perforated metal sheet membrane on the massive inclined columns that create the formidable facade
ABOVE_ The imposing scale of the structural columns at the ground entrance level
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001 MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSORTIUM INTERIORS AT THE STADIUM
ABOVE AND BELOW_ Multi-coloured wall mosaic panels at stairwells, theme mosaic artwork at the entrance lobbies of viewing tiers
ABOVE_ A cafeteria characterized by wood ooring, down lighters in armstrong ceiling calm the ambience at this refreshment point
BELOW_ Players Only; the changing room well equiped with time-lock safe deposit boxes for players to store their valuables
ARCHITECTURE256 / JUNE 2010 / FOCUS
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001 MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM IBHOLA LETHU / GMP CONSORTIUM INTERIORS AT THE STADIUM
ABOVE AND BELOW_ Executive and VIP lounge area designed and furnished to the highest of standards
ABOVE_ Circulation staircases and bridge walkways with a view of the exterior of the stadium; these are made of mainly steel
BELOW_ Jacuzzi setup for players to replenish energy and relax their muscles after a hard day’s work
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