2014 FIFA World Cup Stadiums in Brazil

Again, I come back on track after a long time without blogging and as always I was thinking what my next blog post could be about? One idea just got in to my minds - it's a FIFA World Cup now, why not to talk about the stadiums in Brazil and get so many people reading this post? 

So, I am going to 'light' myself and also you (whoever) is reading this post, about the 2014 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Brazil. 

        

Beira-Rio Stadium, Porto Alegre, Brazil. 

Design: Hype Studio Arquitetura.

There are twelve different stadiums (venues) in twelve cities of Brazilia, which were selected for 2014 FIFA World Cup. Might you want to ask why there are twelve different stadiums in twelve different cities around Brazilia? Because, Brazilian Football Confederation, suggested FIFA to use twelve host cities in "the interest of the whole country", the twelve selections - each the capital of its state regions of Brazil. 

       

Arena Corinthians Stadium. São Paulo, Brazil. 

Design: Aníbal Coutinho.

Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Design: Fernandes/Arquitetos Associados

The full name of the stadium is - Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, it's located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first time stadium was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup, but it was renovated (rebuilt) for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup, also for 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Capacity of the stadium is 78,838 seats.

There was a 7 architects who been working on Maracanã's project - Waldir Ramos, Raphel Galvão, Miguel Feldman, Oscar Valdetaro, Pedro Paulo B. Bastos, Orlando Azevedo and Antônio Dias Carneiro.

Construction:

From outside, the stadium doesn't look as imposing as one would expect. The maximum height is only 24 metres (78 feet). However, the facades are characterized by a solid and reinforced concrete structure. After it was constructed, the Maracanã Stadium was the biggest stadium in the world and today it is still famous for its imposing elliptical framework which is almost circular. The stadium is characterized by two large rings laid down around the entire playing field.

Construction Cost: 

Approximately $500 millions.

Arena Corinthians Stadium, São Paulo, Brazil.

 Design: Aníbal Coutinho.

Arena Corinthians is located in São Paulo, Brazil, opened on 10th of May in 2014 for 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Stadium has a standart capacity of 48,000 seats.  

Construction and design of Arena Corinthians:

The architectural design of the Arena Corinthians was framed by Cautinho, Diegues, Lamb Architects. The structure is based on a deep foundation integrating precast and root piles. The rectangular-shaped stadium is composed of two buildngs, one on the west and another on the east side.

The west building is covered with glass façade, while the east building has a large LED screen. The external walls are covered with ceramic tiles. The roof structure based on long trusses will include four layers made of steel, polyisocynurate, plasterboard and Firestone UltraPlay TPO.

The Arena Corinthians Stadium has been built to sustainable design standarts. Architectural solutions for energy efficiency, the use of alternative energies, improvement of interior environmental quality and efficient water consumption have been implemented in this project.

Construction cost:

Somwhere about R$750 millions.

       

Mineirão Stadium, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Design: BCMF Arquitetos

The full name of Mineirão Stadium is - Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, it's located in Belo Horizonte in Brazil. The first time it was opened in Semptember 5, 1965 and renovated in December 21 in 2012. It served as a venue in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup. In addition, it will also host some matches of the football tournament of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Capacity of this stadium is 62,160 seats.

Construction:

Originally designed by architects Eduardo Mendes Guimarães Júnior and Gaspar Garreto, the building features an oval-shaped structure with a rhytmic facade made up of 88 projecting ribs.

Sustainable technologies were also prioritised. As reported earlier this year, the stadium is the first in the world to be fully powered by solar energy, and uses rainwater harvesting to reduce its water consumption.

Construction Cost:

R$695 millions.

Estádio Nacional de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.

Design: Architekten vor Gerkan, Marg und Partner.

The full name of the stadium is - Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, it's located in Brasília, Brazil. The first time it was opened in March 10, 1974 and renovated in June 15, 2013. Renovations have been completed in preparation for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup. Stadium has 69,349 capacity of seats. The original architect was Ícaro de Castro Mello.

Construction:

Castro Mello Arquitetos, who designed the original seventies stadium, have created a striking new design that forms a contemporary reinterpretation of the sepulchral, sculptural architectural forms that architect Oscar Niemeyer turned into Brasilia's signature Modernist style. A towering forest of 46m high "piloti" columns enricles the seating bowl, provides natural shade and supports a rooftop concrete compression ring that holds in a place a retractable, translucent inner roof suspended by a wheel of radiating spoke-like cables. The stadium's green credentials are proven by the 169,000ft2 of rooftop solar panels; its pollution-neutralising rooftop membrane and the fact that 95% of the demolished stadium was recycled for its reconstruction.

Construction Cost:

US$900 millions.

Arena Castelão, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.

Design: Vigliecca & Associados.

The full name of the stadium is - Estádio Plácido Aderaldo Castela, it's located in Fortaleza, Ceará in Brazil. The first time stadium was opened in November 11, 1973 and it has been renovated for 2014 FIFA World Cup fom 2002 to 2014. Stadium has 67,037 capacity of seats.

There was five architects who been working on this stadium's project - José Liberal de Castro, Gehard Ernst Borman, Reginaldo Mendes Rangel, Marcílio Dias de Luna and Ivan da Silva Britto.  

Construction:

As part of preparations for the 2014 World Cup, the ground built in 1973 is to be completely rebuilt with only some 70% of the upper tier left untouched. New lower tier will bring supporters closer to the action while new main stand's upper tier is to provide skyboxes and other corporate facilities.

Also, old roof was removed with a new one to cover all spectators instead of just some.

Construction Cost:

R$518,6 millions.

       

Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil.

Design: Shulitz Architekten, TETRA Arquitetos.

Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, that's the full name of the stadium above in the picture. It's located in Salvador in Brazil. The first time it was opened in April 7, 2013, first used for 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the subsequent 2014 FIFA World Cup. Stadium has a maximum capacity of 55,000 people. There were to architects working on this project - Marc Duwe and Claas Schulitz.

Construction:

Construction of the new stadium began with the recycling of 75 thousand tonnes of material from the demolished Octavio Mangabeira Stadium, on the site of which the Arena Fonte Nova now sits.

Around 90% of the crushed concrete from the old stadium was reused in the building of the Arena Fonte Nova.

Construction Cost:

The total cost is around R$590 millions (estimated £195 millions).

Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Design: Hype Studio Arquitetura

The full name of the stadium above is - Estádio José Pinheiro Borda, which is located in Porto Alegre in Brazil. In April 6, 1969, it was the first time when stadium was opened and in fall 2013 it has recently been renovated to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The maximum capacity of the stadium is - 51,300 seats. Architect - Hype Studio.

Construction:

In 1956, the city of Porto Alegre donated the club a site in the river Guaíba, which they first had to drain before they could start construction. Building works started in 1959, but due to lack of finances Internacional heavily relied on fans contributing the bricks, cement, and iron works.

The stadium hardly changed over the next decades, and it was only when it got chosen as one of the playing venues of the 2014 World Cup that an extensive redevelopment was announced, which included the demolition reconstruction of the lower tier and the construction of a new exterior and roof.

Works started in December 2012, but soon got plagued by financing issues and consequent delays. In the end, the stadium got completed a few months before the start of World Cup in early 2014.

Construction Cost:

R$ 330 million.

Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.

Design: Fernandes/Arquitetos Associados

Itaipava Arena Pernambuco is the name of this amazing stadium, which is located in Recife in Brazil. It's a new construction built from October 2010 to April 2013 and opened in May 22, 2013. It mostly will be used for football matches and to host the 2014 World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 46,160 people. The company which been working on this project was - Fernandes Arquitetos Associados.

Construction:

External cladding makes it one of the most interesting venues of the 2014 World Cup, though it was subject to changes over time. Initially, in 2010, the exterior was to have geometrical holes to allow sunlight and ventilation for the facilities inside. In the end cushions known from Allianz Arena were used.

What makes this stadium stand out most are four large ramps forming its edges. They don't only add dynamism, but also create an interesting contrast between the soft cushions and sharp concrete arising from underneath the cladding.

Stands are primarily divided into two tiers, though extensive corporate zones were planned along the pitch. Though the roof doesn't cover all spectators, the robust audience layout allows to protect most from the elements.

Construction Cost:

R$ 530 million.

Arena da Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil.

Design: gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner.

This amazing construction is called Arena da Amazônia, which is located in Manaus in Brazil. The stadium has an all-seater capacity of 41,000 and was constructed from 2011 to 2014 as part of Brazil's hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This stadium design was based on the idea of creating a simple but highly efficient stadium which also makes reference to the special location, to the fascination and natural diversity of forms in the tropical rainforest.

Construction:

The shape of the stadium is meant to resemble a traditional indigenious basket and takes into account the area's challenging climatic conditions. The roof's steel structure is designed to serve as a large gutter that drains the tropical rain water, the roof's coating reflects heat radiation and thus has a cooling effect, openings in the roof and facade stimulate ventilation, and there are ample areas of shade where spectators can shelter from the sun.

Construction Cost: 

R$ 605 millions.

Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá, Brazil.

Design: GCP Architects.

Arena Multiuso Governador José Fragelli is a new multi-use stadium in Cuiabá in Brazil. Construction completed and renovation works been done on April 26, 2014. The stadium is going to be used for football matches and also to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Arena Pantanal has a capacity of 41,112.

Construction:

The building of the Arena Pantanal emphasizes highly on the environment, huge parts of materials such as rubbish and waste has been recycled, and water is decanted and reused. The wood used comes from certified sources and the soil and air quality are constantly monitored. All these reasons contribute to the nickname given to the previous stadium: “O Verdão” (The Big Green), which is passed to Arena Pantanal.

Construction Cost:

R$ 420 million.

Arena das Dunas, Natal, Brazil.

Design: Christopher Lee of Populous.

Arena das Dunas is a football stadium in Natal in Brazil, which was designed by sports architecture firm - Christopher Lee of Populous. First time the stadium was opened on 26 January in 2014 and it hosts 2014 World Cup football matches. The stadium's project has a capacity of 45,000 people. A shopping centre and commercial buildings, hotels of international standart and an artificial lake will be built around the stadium. 

Construction:

The design of the stadium by architecture firm Populous is inspired by Natal's famous sand dunes. Its most characteristic features are the upper tier and roof in the shape of petals. The space between the petals allows the on-shore sea breeze to flow into the stadium while the roof shield the spectators from the at times intense sunlight.

Construction Cost:

R$ 400 million.

Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, Brazil.

Design: Carlos Arcos Arquitetura, 360 Architecture.

Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães is a football stadium (above in the picture) designed by Carlos Arcos Arquitetura and 360 Architecture firms. First time the stadium was opened in June 24, 1999 and renovated from 2009 to 2014. Stadium has a capacity of 39,631 people. Arena da Baixada is one of the host venues for 2014 World Cup. 

Construction:

The existing stadium in central Curitiba was set for expansion ahead for the 2014 World Cup. As one of private reconstructions across Brazil, the stadium was aimed to maximize profit as a multi- event arena with retractable roof. However the mobile panels were cut from the original plan due to increasing delays.

Construction Cost:

R$ 360 million.

So that's it, after a four days spent on this blog post, I am proud you know! I am proud because I got the idea from the area (or I should rather call it a space) around me, I took the opportunity that The World Cup is happening now and I managed to relate both sport and architecture by writing this post.
Also I have to confess. I expected this post to be ordinary blog post about only one stadium until I found out there are twelve stadiums for 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP.  

Thanks for reading this really long blog post!