The stadiums built by the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa received the IOC/IAKS Award on 26 October 2011. In the context of the international Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities (FSB), the International Olympic Committee and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) selected the Cape Town stadium for first prize and the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth for third prize in the “stadiums for competitions and events” category. The awards were received by Hubert Nienhoff, gmp partner in charge of the offices in Berlin, Frankfurt and Rio de Janeiro. More information on the projects after the break.
The silver medal in the above category was awarded to the architects Boogertman + Partners in South Africa for the conversion of the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. In total, 135 projects had been submitted from 38 countries and the nine jurors selected the best contributions in seven categories. The IOC/IAKS Award is the only international architecture award for sports and leisure facilities that have proven successful in operation. It has been conferred every two years since 1987.
Cape Town Stadium
This stadium is the only building in a park below Signal Hill and takes its place respectfully in the surrounding landscape. Its envelope consists of a membrane construction with an abstract linear pattern. The undulating skyline, which results from the stadium geometry, makes the stadium appear like a sculpture and reinforces the way it connects with the landscape in its vicinity. The stadium has been designed for football and rugby matches and has a capacity of about 68,000 spectators, arranged on three tiers.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
The stadium has been designed for football and rugby matches and is located at North End Lake in the midst of terraces and hills in the middle of Prince Alfred Park. It stands alone and blends well with the landscape features, resembling a flower rising from the shores of the lake. In its position directly overlooking the lake, the building creates a unique image as it is reflected in the water. The skyline of the 48,000-seater stadium derives its eye-catching appearance from the clear pattern of its roof structure.
Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup
Ongoing gmp projects include the design of two stadiums for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship in Poland and Ukraine – the National Stadium in Warsaw and the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. For the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil the architects are involved in the design of the National Stadium in Brasília, the Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte and the Arena da Amazônia in Manaus. Further current projects include the Śląski Stadium in Chorzów in Poland and the Tashkent Sports Park in Uzbekistan. The recently completed 55,000-seater Lia-Manoliu Stadium in Bucharest, Romania, has now had its inauguration ceremony.
