Najran Stadium

Project description

Construction of the 50,000-seat Najran Stadium

Context
Our goal was to create a stadium that is both inspired and inspiring. It was about designing a stadium as a sculpture, a creation that the people of Najran would be proud of.

To design a stadium that is well-integrated into its environment, we carefully studied its context. Najran, the cradle of one of the oldest civilizations on the Arabian Peninsula, was also a key stop along the Incense Route. A lush oasis in the middle of the desert, it is a hub of life in the desert.

The Spiral Stadium
Beyond the geographical and historical context, we also paid attention to the spiritual context of the region. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, and we wanted to reflect this in our architecture. We chose to design a stadium in the shape of a spiral. The spiral is an abstract form found throughout nature. This shape also symbolizes the journey of the soul, its elevation, initiation, and revelation. In Islamic culture, it can symbolize the spiritual path, like the pilgrimage. Our concept for this new stadium is to have a spiral rise from the sand.

A Landscape Experience
We wanted to design the project as a whole, where the stadium and the master plan are part of a unified vision. We created a magical experience, a deep continuity between the stadium, its layout, and the surrounding environment. The master plan extends the spiral into two dimensions, continuing the movement initiated by the stadium. It becomes a contemporary oasis, both artistic and architectural, serving the purpose of the sporting event.