Enio Tardini Stadium | Parma, Italy

ENNIO TARDINI STADIUM

Parma, Italy

Rendering: Studio Zoppini

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he new Ennio Tardini Stadium is more than just a new stadium for the city of Parma, and a new home for Parma Calcio. The venue is designed as a modern-day urban destination that can become a public space dedicated to the new generations and a symbol for the city of Parma. The form is inspired by the traditional Symbols of Parma - the ‘Cathedral’ and the ‘Palazzo Pilotta’, reinterpreting the stone and masonry architecture in a more fluid, modern and technological manner. Transforming the notion of stone and brick into iron, a low-maintenance, lightweight, modern, pliable and cheap material, but one that is inspired by the textures and characteristics of materials of the past. For the roof, the inspiration is taken from the Teatro Farnese, which has an exceptionally light wooden roof that seems to fly on the stone base. The goal is to create a similar element with new technologies that will allow the outer part of the roof to be semi-reflective, so when people walk around the exterior area of the stadium they begin to see what is happening inside. Talking about roofing and technologies, the focus is on the sector that generates the most atmosphere - the Curva, which will have a partially reflective stand from a visual standpoint so that the perception of the number of fans creating support for the local team is immediately doubled. The façade is none other than a series of hollow iron pieces that interlink to form the shape of the functions taking place below. The colours and shape of the Corten recall the traditional materials used throughout the city and even though being a large-scale facility, the façade being composed by beautiful rustic metal profiles becomes almost transparent according to the person’s vision angle. Also, the façade being created with profiles, allows the entry of natural light and natural ventilation through the galleries under the tribunes. A place where activities happen 365 days a year will be created, with the experience given on match days under the north, east and south Stand with open spaces joined by a ‘galleria’ occupied with local business and activities with the purpose to contribute to the local economy in the area. In the west tribune a series of spaces will provide varying levels of hospitality, too. Lounges will be placed next to the pitch, where fans will have the impression of being part of the team. On the upper levels are the lounges for the gold and bronze level fans, which – having a separate entrance – will be used as catering areas with restaurants open all week with a view of the city from the western side of the stadium. The area around the stadium was designed to serve all generations of Parma’s habitants and tourists, with interactive areas encouraging sport activities and social interaction, from the principal gate those who arrive are welcomed with a big, centred piazza and two ramps that conduct the visitor into the stadium on the upper levels.