World Class Stadium Design

LINE

Lines are very blatantly active in this stadium located in china. Together they exemplify the Gestalt theory of the sum of all parts is more important then the individual parts. The lines by them selves add motion to the stadium as the rise from the bottom and curve around the top as if to hug the building but as a whole they form a false shell around the interior of the stadium. Its fitting nickname is the Birds nest which also represents a visual buffet of lines in design.

MOVEMENT

In this example of Movement in design the active aspect is in the planning of the design. Both the roof and the field sod can be literally moved. This accomplishes the designers goal in getting the public to interpret the stadium as "world class", I mean its roof and field can be retracted! Although I'm not convinced the design opportunity to exploit movement to really enhance the experience of the user - look at where the roof hides when retracted...

DIMENSION

Depth and Perspective are key points for exploiting Dimension in communicating messages visually. And if you have ever rode the tube to Wembley stadium in London then you know how much the new crescent that looms above the stadium adds to the perceived dimension of the stadium. It is very effective at exploiting the users visually perception and leads them to believe that the stadium is multidimensional or something past 3D. I know I've been there.

SCALE

They say everything is bigger in Texas, I haven't been there yet but from the design of this billion dollar stadium that sports a 60 year long HD TV - I'm sure it's true. When looking at the entrance of this stadium one cant help but recall the Greek's "Golden Mean" and "Golden Rectangle" rational. This stadium though brand new this year is a classic representation of the intrinsic visual elegance inherent in using that rational in ones designs first discovered thousands of years ago...

SHAPE

Here form followed function beautifully. The way the stadium contours around the bay adds a sought after stress to the experience of visiting the park. The innovative way the seating is shaped around the pitch brings people closer to the action and removed obstructed views radically improving the visual communication sports or entertainment for that matter rely on. The repeated arches along the dock one sees only adds to the sense of stability and grad-jour which were likely both sought after qualities when designing the ballpark. The shape they use conveniently exposes the user to expansive views of the bay area further communicating through vision that the stadium is "world class".