Recently, Zaha Hadid Architects unveiled their design for the Xi’an International Football Center, a 60,000-seat stadium that honors the city’s rich heritage and its tradition of welcoming international visitors. Supported by striking red pillars, the stadium features a slender, relatively flat roof inspired by the architecture of ancient palaces. This versatile venue will host domestic and international football matches, local leagues, youth training programs, entertainment events, and cultural activities. It is also set to serve as a key location for the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023. The design emphasizes a legacy of multi-generational use and cultural significance.
The project is seamlessly integrated into the vertical urban grid of Xi’an Fengdong New Area. Its open facade welcomes the city, creating a strong connection with the surrounding environment. The smooth, flowing curves of the facade serve a practical purpose by mitigating the impact of the northern monsoon winds. Each floor is adorned with abundant greenery, allowing visitors to enjoy public spaces, creative facilities, and dining options throughout the day, as well as during events. From the shaded garden terraces facing south, visitors can take in panoramic views stretching from the cityscape to the distant green mountains.
The streamlined roof utilizes an ultra-lightweight, large-span cable mesh structure, minimizing both load and material use. Expansive eaves extend around the stadium, providing shelter for the interior facilities. To protect spectators from weather and direct sunlight while preserving optimal viewing distances from the bowl-shaped seating, a semi-transparent membrane spans the roof’s opening. This membrane also allows ample sunlight to reach the stadium’s corners, supporting the healthy growth of the grass on the playing field.
Advanced digital modeling was used to refine the geometric structure of the seating bowl. This design optimizes sightlines and viewing distances for all 60,000 seats, creating an exhilarating atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.
Project Information
Architectural Firm: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Designer: Patrick Schumacher
ZHA Project Managers: Charles Walker, Nils Fischer
ZHA Project Assistants: Jakub Klaska, Lei Zheng
ZHA Team Members: Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Jianfei Chu, Chun-Yen Chen, Hung-Da Chien, Marina Dimopoulou, Cesar Fragachan, Michael Forward, Matthew Gabe, Stratis Georgiou, Charles Harris, Yen-Fen Huang, Han Hsun Hsieh, Yihoon Kim, Henry Louth, Martha Masli, Mauro Sabiu, Xin Swift, Adeliia Papulzan, Pablo Agustin Vivas
Collaborative Architect: Intelligent Design for Emerging Architecture (iDEA)
iDEA Project Manager: Yan Gao
iDEA Team Members: Jianyou Yang, Bin Wu, Fiona Huang, Jingshan Zhong, Shishang Deng, Qiongli Lu, Ting Liu, Xinyu Kou, Daria Morkovkina, Haixia Zhang
Structural Design: Qiang Chang
Project Consultants:
Local Design Agency: Arcplus Institute of Shanghai Architectural Design & Research
Sports Advisor: Clive John Lewis
Lighting Design: Lichtvision Design
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