Here are some wintery views of the new spotty stadium for Belarusian football club FC BATE Borisov designed by Slovenian firm OFIS Arhitekti, which is nearing completion and looks set to open later this year (+ slideshow).
The new Borisov Arena will replace FC BATE Borisov's existing home stadium, providing up to 13,000 seats for spectators on a new site to the south of the city centre.
OFIS Arhitekti designed the building with a domed shape, intended to resemble "fabric stretched over a skeleton". The outer walls are clad with shimmering aluminium panels and are punctured by an assortment of blob-shaped windows.
Shops, bars and other visitor facilities will be located behind the facade at ground level, while staff offices, press rooms and VIP areas will occupy the level above.
The rounded shape of the arena is expected to improve acoustics during both training and matches.
Here's a project description from OFIS Arhitekti:
Football Stadium Arena Borisov
The concept takes into account the natural advantages of the location and the existing interventions within the terrain, while maintaining as many of the existing trees on site as possible. Besides 13,000 seats there is additional 3,000 m2 of public space and are classified 4 stars according to UEFA categorisation. Traffic and parking is organised between the forest.
The arena forms a unified rounded dome, giving the impression of a single enclosed object. The skin of the dome gives an impression of a fragile stretched perforated textile pulled over the stadium skeleton. The covered space between the skin and the tribunes is a public street - a vestibule with public program (shops, bars, services, toilets) and galleries above (offices, VIP, press)
Internally, the rounded arena provides good acoustics and encourages an extrovert atmosphere from the players and the fans alike during the game, but focuses concentration during training time. The playing surface has N-S orientation, with a total area of 85 x 105m, on which 68 x 105m is used for playing. The remaining area allows enough space for the installation of advertising screens, photographers and cameras. The seats are arranged around the playing field in rows of 17 along the sides and rows of 27-28 along the short sides. The upper west gallery is reserved for press cabins, with seats and tables for 40 journalists and direct stair access to the press room and mix zone. In the east are the VIP stands, with 250 seats and bar and entertainment spaces. The VIP is accessed directly via an elevator from the entrance area with a car driveway. The athletes have a separate access on the lower platform, with passage to team buses and parking. At each entry point to the field are two dressing rooms, mix zone, physiotherapy and a space for doping control.
There are 4 floors with extra program and service facilities under the west stand area and 3 floors under the east side. The foyer for visitors is located on the first floor level and has 4 stairway access points. It is a covered plateau, naturally ventilated and unheated. Extending all around the inner stadium arena, this space contains the visitor's toilets, bars, first-aid room and detention: it is a place to break during half-time. 3.000 m2 of public program is distributed at ground level on the north, south and east ends of the structure. In the east, a restaurant and bowling area are located. The restaurant prepares meals for the VIP during the match, with a service elevator for catering to the VIP lounge and bar within its public foyer. In the south, there are public fitness/gym studios. Other public area spaces are designed for various commercial activities. All restaurants have access from the public platform. Around the platform is a rounded pedestrian square, as a peripheral roundabout and meeting area. Parking pockets are organized into the existing forest area.
Architect: OFIS Arhitekti
Engineering and local office: Magnus Group
Client: FC Bate, County of Borisov
Location: Borisov, Belarus
Status: commission 2010
Construction 2011
Completion 2014
Program: football stadium + public program
Type: public + private
Area: public program 3,628 m2, offices 480 m2, service 2,000 m2
Capacity: audience 13,000 seats, VIP 620 seats, press seats 100, parking spaces 800
Structure: steel, reinforced concrete; roof structure- metal beams with aluminium cladding