As in a classical temple, a curtain of columns on a plinth rises on the plain of Bordeaux. But unlike ancient temples, this stadium turns its podium into a very emphatic stairway, and the result is a blurring of the lines between interior and exterior, and the entire building looks lightweight.
Although the image that triggers the project – a forest of columns – is metaphorical, the building is a rigorous functional exercise that is to accommodate 42,000 spectators under the best possible visibilility conditions. With this as the objective, between the playing field at ground level and the level of the exterior entrance is a wedge-shaped volume that contains the entire program, from mechanical installations to the VIP room. The geometry of this wedged construction is determined, on the outside, by the section of the stairs, while on the inside it adapts to the slope of the grandstand. This arrangement breaks with the traditional scheme of stadiums: instead of circulating through flights of stairs or ramps, the crowds climb some exterior steps until they are halfway up the grandstand. Since from this point one has a panoptical view of the stadium, it is impossible to get to the lower or higher tiers, which are at the same distance, without experiencing orientation difficulties.
The new Bordeaux Stadium is an expression of a fundamentally new architecture. The pure shape of the volume, by contrast to its light and open structure, creates an at once monumental and graceful architectural piece suited to the landscape of Bordeaux. The stadium architecture combines three constitutive elements: the bowl containing the game and its spectators, the concourse as the transitional element between the field and the surroundings and, finally, the overall appearance. These three elements are reinterpreted with regard to the site-specific characteristics.
The aim is to present an architectural object in which highest functional quality is combined with a unique identity. Allying these two criteria, functionality and strong identity, endows the project with an emotional dimension that the public can feel, and that is inextricably bound to the stadium’s traditional role of staging sports.Seating a maximum of some 43,000 persons, the bowl embraces the game area, its geometry affording optimal visibility for all. The bowl consists of two superposed tiers divided into four sectors and protected from the elements by the roof. Consisting of a multitude of concentric strips, the ceiling’s homogeneous appearance guides the gaze to the playing field, while allowing sunlight to seep through due to the strips’ sloping angle. This open ceiling structure does not show through on the inside of the stadium, to avoid distracting the spectators’ attention.
Raising the bowl above ground level is a compact base integrating all the programmatic functions into a uniform and symmetrical volume. This plinth includes the VIP lounges as well as media areas adjacent to the spaces dedicated to players. The simplicity and pure lines of the architecture characterizing the bowl and its base guarantee a smooth flow of spectators and easy orientation.
The bowl resting on its base is covered by an elegant roof which has an unusual rectangular shape, projected earthwards thanks to the multiplicity of slender columns that shower down. The choice of this pure form is the clearest and most efficient response to the site’s natural conditions, and to the main flow of spectators east-west. A ribbon of food stalls and restrooms undulates through this forest of columns, brought alive by the movement of the crowd. At once dense and light, this structure creates an evanescent rectangular volume from which emerges the sculpted and organic outline of the bowl.
A Stadium for Bordeaux
The new Bordeaux stadium appears light and open; it is elegant, if such a term can be used for a building of this size. Its purity and geometrical clarity inspires a sense of monumentality and gracefulness. One might be tempted to draw a comparison with a classical temple, but unlike the elevated plinth of a temple, the grand stairs of the stadium blur the boundaries between inside and outside. Countless columns standing on the stairs accompany the visitors on their way in and out of the stadium. The fusion of stairs and columns forms a gesture of openness and accessibility.
Special attention was paid to the integration of the structure into the grand landscape of Bordeaux. The meticulous geometrical arrangement of bowl structure and columns reflects the pattern created by trees and paths in the surrounding landscape. This stadium is made for this specific place – an open, flat landscape in immediate proximity to the Bordeaux Exhibition Centre stretching along the lakefront. “Elegance” has become a depreciated term when describing architecture, but wrongly so when one looks at Bordeaux’ urban and architectural legacy. We were never looking for inspiration in the historical part of Bordeaux with its breathtakingly beautiful buildings and monuments all made out of typical limestone. Much of what we perceive as elegance in Bordeaux results from its unity and homogeneity of scale and materiality and from its precision and purity of form. We could not copy this, but we certainly learned from it.
A Bowl for 42’000 people
Seating a maximum of 42,000 people, the bowl embraces the game area, its geometry affording optimal visibility for all, along with the maximum flexibility in terms of capacity and usage. The stadium is multifunctional and conceived to welcome a rich and diversified program: not only rugby and soccer matches but also shows, concerts, and corporate events.
The bowl consists of two superposed tiers divided into four sectors and protected from the elements by the roof. The underside of the visually uniform roof guides the eye onto the playing field while allowing sunlight to pass through. Its structure does not show through on the inside of the stadium, to avoid distracting the spectators’ attention.
Raising the bowl above ground level is a compact base housing all the programmatic functions in a uniform and symmetrical volume. This plinth includes the VIP spaces evenly distributed east and west, and media areas adjacent to the spaces dedicated to players. The architectural simplicity and pure lines of the bowl and its base ensure smooth spectator flows and ease of orientation.
Plinth, Bowl and Roof
The bowl rests on a plinth, covered by a sharp-edged rectangular roof. The choice of this pure and almost abstract form responds clearly and efficiently to the site’s natural conditions and to the main flow of spectators from east to west.
This white rectangle seems projected earthwards thanks to the multiplicity of slender columns that shower down. A ribbon of food stalls and restrooms undulates through this forest of columns, brought alive by the movement of the crowd. At once dense and light, this structure creates an evanescent rectangular volume from which the sculpted and organic outline of the bowl emerges.
This architectural concept gives a specific identity to the new Bordeaux stadium. The diaphanous volume opens up to the surrounding landscape while the grand stairs express openness and accessibility for everyone. Its transparency reveals all the energy and activities that will transform this piece of land into a new and vibrant part of Bordeaux.
Herzog & de Meuron, May 2015
Rubén P. Bescós
Text by Herzog & de Meuron
The new Bordeaux stadium appears light and open; it is elegant, if such a term can be used for a building of this size. Its purity and geometrical clarity inspires a sense of monumentality and gracefulness. One might be tempted to draw a comparison with a classical temple, but unlike the elevated plinth of a temple, the grand stairs of the stadium blur the boundaries between inside and outside. Countless columns standing on the stairs accompany the visitors on their way in and out of the stadium. The fusion of stairs and columns forms a gesture of openness and accessibility.
Rubén P. Bescós
Special attention was paid to the integration of the structure into the grand landscape of Bordeaux. The meticulous geometrical arrangement of bowl structure and columns reflects the pattern created by trees and paths in the surrounding landscape. This stadium is made for this specific place – an open, flat landscape in immediate proximity to the Bordeaux Exhibition Centre stretching along the lakefront. “Elegance” has become a depreciated term when describing architecture, but wrongly so when one looks at Bordeaux’ urban and architectural legacy. We were never looking for inspiration in the historical part of Bordeaux with its breathtakingly beautiful buildings and monuments all made out of typical limestone. Much of what we perceive as elegance in Bordeaux results from its unity and homogeneity of scale and materiality and from its precision and purity of form. We could not copy this, but we certainly learned from it.
HERZOG & DE MEURON
A bowl for 42’000 people
Seating a maximum of 42,000 people, the bowl embraces the game area, its geometry affording optimal visibility for all, along with the maximum flexibility in terms of capacity and usage. The stadium is multifunctional and conceived to welcome a rich and diversified program: not only rugby and soccer matches but also shows, concerts, and corporate events.
Rubén P. Bescós
The bowl consists of two superposed tiers divided into four sectors and protected from the elements by the roof. The underside of the visually uniform roof guides the eye onto the playing field while allowing sunlight to pass through. Its structure does not show through on the inside of the stadium, to avoid distracting the spectators’ attention.
HERZOG & DE MEURON
Raising the bowl above ground level is a compact base housing all the programmatic functions in a uniform and symmetrical volume. This plinth includes the VIP spaces evenly distributed east and west, and media areas adjacent to the spaces dedicated to players. The architectural simplicity and pure lines of the bowl and its base ensure smooth spectator flows and ease of orientation.
Rubén P. Bescós
Plinth, Bowl and Roof
The bowl rests on a plinth, covered by a sharp-edged rectangular roof. The choice of this pure and almost abstract form responds clearly and efficiently to the site’s natural conditions and to the main flow of spectators from east to west.
Rubén P. Bescós
This white rectangle seems projected earthwards thanks to the multiplicity of slender columns that shower down. A ribbon of food stalls and restrooms undulates through this forest of columns, brought alive by the movement of the crowd. At once dense and light, this structure creates an evanescent rectangular volume from which the sculpted and organic outline of the bowl emerges.
Rubén P. Bescós
This architectural concept gives a specific identity to the new Bordeaux stadium. The diaphanous volume opens up to the surrounding landscape while the grand stairs express openness and accessibility for everyone. Its transparency reveals all the energy and activities that will transform this piece of land into a new and vibrant part of Bordeaux.
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
HERZOG & DE MEURON
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
Rubén P. Bescós
