

herzog & de meuron inaugurates the new bordeaux stadium

all images courtesy of nouveau stade bordeaux

bordeaux’s new stadium has been officially inaugurated ahead of its first football match this weekend. designed by herzog & de meuron, alongside construction groups vinci and fayat, the 42,000-seat arena will host the home fixtures of FC girondins de bordeaux as well as select games during the 2016 european football championships.



the venue will host the home fixtures of FC girondins de bordeaux

architects herzog & de meuron explain the project in more detail:

‘the new bordeaux stadium appears light and open; it is elegant, if such a term can be used for a building of this size. its purity and geometrical clarity inspire a sense of monumentality and gracefulness. the grand stairs blur the boundaries between inside and outside and countless columns standing on the stairs accompany the visitors on their way in and out of the stadium. the fusion of stairs and columns forms a gesture of openness and accessibility. the diaphanous volume of the stadium opens up to the surrounding landscape. its transparency reveals all the energy and activities that will transform this piece of land into a new and vibrant part of bordeaux.’



externally, a series of slender columns surround the structure

inside the arena, seating accommodation consists of two superposed tiers, divided into four further sections and protected from the elements by an elegant roof canopy, which has a singular rectangular shape. externally, a series of slender columns surround the structure, lending the scheme a dense, yet lightweight quality.

after winning a competition to complete the stadium in 2011, work on site began in 2013, with the arena delivered on time and on budget in april 2015. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.



a bridged link leading inside the ‘bowl’



accommodation is provided for disabled spectators



considerable legroom is offered between each row of seating



seating accommodation consists of two superposed tiers



the 42,000-seat arena shown at night



the site will also host games of rugby



the stadium’s illuminated exterior