St. Jakob-Park Basel，Football Stadium, Commercial Centre and Residence for the Elderly 1996-2007

The architects were consulted only after a preliminary project by the general contractor had been submitted which determined the volumetric expansion and the commercially usable areas within the framework of the law for this location. They were attracted by the opportunity to participate in the design of this large-scale project with a soccer arena and stores; however, they had no wish to retain control over each and every detail. They concentrated their efforts on several essential elements that would provide the site with an unmistakable identity – for example, the translucent coloration of the stadium’s shell, the color concept based on the complimentary colors of red (stadium’s interior) and green (lawn), the proportions and the roof construction of the stadium arena (namely its flat underside), the long horizontal façades of the senior citizen residence, as well as the lobbies and entrance areas of the stadium and the residence.