Zaha Hadid Architects completes "saddle-shaped" stadium in Xi'an

The 60,000-seat Xi'an International Football Centre by UK studio Zaha Hadid Architects has opened in central China, hosting its first matches.

Commissioned by the Chinese Football Association, the stadium in the Fengdong New City area of Xi'an was inaugurated with a trio of under-23 matches last month.

The stadium has a sinuous form that, according to Zaha Hadid Architects, was informed by the city's windy winters and hot summers.

It rises at the centre of the main stands to increase the amount of seating placed in the most favourable view positions – around midfield alongside the pitch.

"The stadium's sweeping geometries are defined to minimize the impacts of prevailing winds from the north that chill the city each winter," said Zaha Hadid Architects.

 "The fluid forms of the roof shelter the saddle-shaped structure [that was] designed to maximise availability of spectator seating at midfield."

At its upper level, the stadium is wrapped with a wide concourse, which is sheltered by the expansive overhanging roof.

These terraces step down the facade at the southern end of the stadium to create a covered plaza-like area.

Initial plans for the stadium showed these terraces covered in planting, although this has not, as yet, been installed.

Red concrete columns that punctuate the terraces support the lightweight roof structure.

"Wide perimeter-roof overhangs shelter facilities within the building's envelope, while the large, shaded, open-air terraces and public concourses provide comfortable conditions in the hot summers of Xi'an's continental climate," said the studio.

"An ultra-lightweight long span cable-net roof structure generates minimal loads to significantly reduce embodied carbon within the stadium by minimising the materials required for its primary structure."

Within the stadium, the crowd is covered by a translucent cover hung from the structure of the main stands.

"Supported by the tensioned cable-net structure, a translucent membrane over the seating bowl protects spectators from inclement weather and direct sunlight while also allowing maximum levels of natural light to reach the playing surface, promoting the growth of grass on the pitch to provide playing conditions of the highest standard."

Zaha Hadid Architects was founded in 1979 by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid and is now led by Patrik Schumacher.

The studio is designing numerous stadiums in China, including a 60,000-seat stadium in Guangzhou, which is nearing completion, and another 60,000-seat stadium in Hangzhou.

The photography is by Hufton + Crow.

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