360 Architecture to design sport city in Iraq
US-based architectural firm 360 Architecture has been awarded the contract to design a sport city in Basra, Iraq.
The $500 million project involves the designing of 65,000-seat soccer stadium, a 10,000-seat practice stadium, dormitories and training facilities on a 360-acre, fortified campus.
As per plans the sport city should be ready for Gulf Cup of Nations in 2013, a soccer tournament held by Arab nations in the Persian Gulf region every two years.
The stadium will be designed and constructed in consortium with Newport Global Project Management Group and Abdullah A Al-Jiburi Contracting Co. a construction company in Iraq.
Furthermore, the design of the stadium needed to meet the standards of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). The design of the stadium aims at being easy to clean following a sandstorm and provide shade and ventilation on hot days.
Seven design plans were submitted by architectural firm 360 Architecture. One of the designs was inspired by distinctive bark of date palms, while another was inspired by the sail of dhows, a sailing vessel of the region, and there was anther inspired by baskets woven from date palms.
The bark design was chosen, which will feature am exterior that resemble date palms with an interior screen for ventilation. The stadium also features prayer rooms oriented towards Mecca for the employees. Luxury suites have also been included in the design of the stadium.
The complete city plans include two soccer facilities, four practice fields, a heliport a fire station and parking space for 10,000 cars. A protective wall will surround the entire sports complex offering checkpoints.
The entire development project is expected to cost $1 billion.
