CEBRA, a renowned architectural firm known for its innovative designs, has recently unveiled the stunning design of a new football stadium complex in Albania. The project, commissioned by the Albanian government, aims to provide a world-class sporting facility that will cater to the growing demand for football and serve as a symbol of national pride.
The stadium complex is located in a picturesque area on the outskirts of the capital city, Tirana, surrounded by lush greenery and offering panoramic views of the Albanian landscape. The architects at CEBRA have taken full advantage of the natural surroundings, seamlessly integrating the stadium into the existing environment while creating a visually striking structure.
Introduction
The centerpiece of the complex is the main football stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of over 10,000 spectators. The stadium’s design reflects a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and Albanian cultural heritage. Its exterior features a unique combination of curved lines and angular forms, giving the impression of a soaring eagle, a revered symbol in Albanian folklore. The facade incorporates traditional Albanian patterns and motifs, skillfully interpreted in a contemporary architectural language.
Upon entering the stadium, visitors are greeted by a spacious concourse adorned with interactive displays showcasing Albanian football’s rich history. The seating arrangement ensures optimal viewing angles from every seat, offering an immersive experience for spectators. State-of-the-art technology has been integrated throughout the stadium, including high-definition video screens, sound systems, and lighting, to enhance the overall atmosphere during matches.
New Facilities in the Stadium Complex
Adjacent to the main stadium, the complex houses a training facility equipped with top-of-the-line amenities for professional football teams. The training facility includes multiple training pitches, fitness centers, physiotherapy rooms, and spacious locker rooms. These facilities provide an ideal environment for athletes to hone their skills and prepare for high-level competitions.
The stadium complex is also designed to serve as a multifunctional space, hosting a range of events beyond football matches. It features flexible spaces that can be adapted for concerts, exhibitions, and cultural performances, further enriching the community and attracting diverse audiences.
Architectural Design & Master Planning Strategies
The design and master planning of the new football stadium complex in Albania by CEBRA embodies a thoughtful and innovative approach that aims to create a harmonious blend of functionality, aesthetics, and cultural significance.
The master planning phase of the project involved careful consideration of the site’s context, topography, and surrounding landscape. CEBRA’s architects worked closely with urban planners and landscape designers to ensure that the complex seamlessly integrates with the existing environment. The site’s natural features, such as hills and green spaces, were preserved and incorporated into the design, creating a symbiotic relationship between the stadium and its surroundings.
The architectural design of the complex reflects a fusion of modern architectural principles and Albanian cultural heritage. The stadium’s exterior façade, with its striking combination of curved lines and angular forms, evokes the imagery of an eagle, a powerful symbol in Albanian folklore. Traditional Albanian patterns and motifs are skillfully incorporated into the façade, creating a visually captivating and culturally significant element.
Internally, the main football stadium is designed to provide an optimal viewing experience for spectators. The seating arrangement ensures unobstructed sightlines from every seat, while the careful positioning of entrances and exits ensures efficient crowd flow and easy access to amenities. The design also incorporates the latest technological advancements, such as high-definition video screens and state-of-the-art sound systems, to enhance the atmosphere during matches and events.
The master planning process also involved the design of a comprehensive training facility within the complex. The training facility includes multiple training pitches of various sizes, allowing for different levels of training and accommodating both professional teams and youth development programs. Additionally, fitness centers, physiotherapy rooms, and spacious locker rooms are strategically located to facilitate the smooth operation of training sessions and the well-being of athletes.
Flexibility and adaptability were key considerations in the design of the complex. The spaces were carefully planned to accommodate a range of events beyond football matches, including concerts, exhibitions, and cultural performances. The layout and configuration of spaces can be modified to suit the specific requirements of each event, ensuring a seamless transition between different functions and providing a dynamic venue for various community activities.
Sustainability was a guiding principle throughout the architectural design and master planning process. CEBRA incorporated sustainable features and technologies into the complex, such as solar panels for renewable energy generation, rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation, and energy-efficient lighting fixtures. Green spaces and landscaped areas were integrated into the design, promoting biodiversity, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal, and contributing to the well-being of visitors.
Overall, the architectural design and master planning of the new football stadium complex in Albania by CEBRA exemplifies a holistic and forward-thinking approach. By considering the site’s context, cultural heritage, functionality, and sustainability, the design creates a remarkable facility that meets the demands of modern sports and entertainment and becomes a symbol of national pride and community engagement.
“The design is ground-breaking in the sense that it almost camouflages the stadium among new city blocks, alleys, and the public park. This is not to hide the arena but to celebrate sports and culture in a wider architectural context that holds the very essence of Korça. The new stadium is not just an icon for sports, but an asset for the neighborhood in one of the most important cultural cities in Albania.”
-Mikkel Frost (Founding Partner at CEBRA)
- Location: Korca, Albania
- Client: The National Planning Agency- The Ministry of Education & Sports
- Function: Mixed-Use Development
- Size: 85,000 sq.m.
- Year: 2023 onwards
- Architect: CEBRA, UNO Architects
- Project Status: Ongoing
- Engineer: ARUP
References List-
- New skenderbeu stadium // cebra architecture (2023) CEBRA architecture. Available at: https://cebraarchitecture.dk/project/new-skenderbeu-stadium/ (Accessed: 27 June 2023).
- Danish studio Cebra to design new football stadium complex in Albania (2023) Pikark. Available at: https://pikark.com/en/listing/cebra-stadium-albania/ (Accessed: 27 June 2023).
- Aasa (2023) Cebra wins competition for new football stadium complex in Albania, aasarchitecture. Available at: https://aasarchitecture.com/2023/05/cebra-wins-competition-for-new-football-stadium-complex-in-albania/ (Accessed: 27 June 2023).
- New skenderbeu stadium project plan revealed by Cebra in Albania (2023) Arch2O.com. Available at: https://www.arch2o.com/new-skenderbeu-stadium-project-plan-revealed-by-cebra-in-albania/ (Accessed: 27 June 2023).
Image List-
- CEBRA (2023a) New Skenderbeu Stadium, ArchDaily. Korçë, Albania. Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/647d/a72f/43e4/5a2a/ca89/0420/large_jpg/cebra-unveils-the-design-of-a-new-football-stadium-complex-in-albania_2.jpg?1685956446 (Accessed: 26 June 2023).
- CEBRA (2023a) New Skenderbeu Stadium, ArchDaily. Korçë, Albania. Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/647d/a72b/43e4/5a2a/ca89/041c/large_jpg/cebra-unveils-the-design-of-a-new-football-stadium-complex-in-albania_1.jpg?1685956440 (Accessed: 26 June 2023).
- CEBRA (2023a) New Skenderbeu Stadium, ArchDaily. Korçë, Albania. Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/647d/a72d/2e6d/e247/5622/03ed/large_jpg/cebra-unveils-the-design-of-a-new-football-stadium-complex-in-albania_4.jpg?1685956436 (Accessed: 26 June 2023).
- CEBRA (2023b) New Skenderbeu Stadium , ArchDaily. Korçë, Albania. Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/647d/a72f/43e4/5a2a/ca89/041f/large_jpg/cebra-unveils-the-design-of-a-new-football-stadium-complex-in-albania_5.jpg?1685956445 (Accessed: 26 June 2023).
- CEBRA (2023) New Skenderbeu Stadium, ArchDaily. Korçë, Albania. Available at: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/647d/a72c/43e4/5a2a/ca89/041d/large_jpg/cebra-unveils-the-design-of-a-new-football-stadium-complex-in-albania_7.jpg?1685956442 (Accessed: 26 June 2023).
- AASA (2023) Master Plan, AAS Architecture. Korçë, Albania. Available at: https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CEBRA-wins-competition-for-new-football-stadium-complex-in-Albania-07.jpg (Accessed: 26 June 2023).
