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Everton stadium architect Dan Meis has revealed what he believes to be the biggest challenges facing sports architecture - and why he wants to avoid the mistakes West Ham made in moving to the London Stadium.

The Blues have entrusted the American with designing the club's proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore dock, and he was recently in Liverpool conducting workshops in which some early ideas were put to supporters.

One of those initial plans included a Borussia Dortmund-style "Yellow Wall" stand, which proved popular between those who attended.

Capacity is one of the biggest debates surrounding the proposed new ground among Everton supporters, and Meis has once again highlighted that new stadiums need to be great for sport first and foremost rather than other elements.

The architect also highlighted the importance of avoiding a similar mistake to West Ham, who moved out of Upton Park to switch to the London Stadium in 2016.

"Buildings need to be right-sized for their markets and to create a great fan experience," Meis told CLADglobal .

"If there are other elements and amenities that support the business of the owner, then great, but first and foremost it has to be great stadium for sport.

"I think we also have to respect the heritage of old stadiums, even when designing new ones. My personal favourite stadiums are the likes of Wrigley Field in Chicago and Fenway Park in Boston [both built in the 1910s].

"Not because of the retro architecture movement but because I love the idea that these buildings have memories. I worry that some clubs, in different sports, underestimate that.

"For example, we’ve seen with West Ham how a club can be taken out of a historic building and into a new home [the former London Olympic Stadium] that just isn’t right. A move like that changes a club forever."

(Image: Anthony McArdle)

Meis has discussed in the past how much Everton's heritage and history will influence his designs, and he has reiterated how that affects sports architecture on a wider scale.

He added: "The cost of stadiums in general is becoming really crazy, and it’s largely driven around the proliferation of amenities to generate revenue in the buildings. Owners have a tendency to feel they need to find new ways for people to spend their money.

"Ten years ago I was designing NFL buildings for several hundred million dollars, and I thought that was a ton of money. Now they’re regularly over a billion.

"I think the biggest challenge if you make this kind of investment, whether it’s private or public, is ensuring you build something truly flexible and long lasting, rather than a throwaway building which will need to be replaced before too long.

"It’s one of the tragedies of the US that so many of our stadiums get replaced after 20 years, with teams threatening to move cities if they don’t get permission for a new stadium."

When asked about his dream project, Meis admitted that he would find it difficult to ever experience a better connection than he has with the Everton fans about the proposed Bramley-Moore development.

However, the architect also added that he would love the chance to work on one of the Premier League's most historic stadiums.

Meis sadi: "It will be hard to ever surpass the emotional connection I have to Everton and the fans there, but I would love to work with Manchester United on Old Trafford some day.

"The history of that building, having survived the destruction of WWII, and the unique global brand recognition make it truly one of a kind."