Architects all across the world have been working hard to make commercial architecture more sustainable and reduce the long term carbon footprint of structures. Sports stadiums are amongst the trickiest to make eco-friendly because of their size and the sheer amount of materials needed in their construction. There are ways to tackle the problem though, including well considered designs, choosing materials carefully, and making use of modern technology where possible to achieve sustainability.

The work going in to making sports stadiums more sustainable took a big step forward recently with Forest Green Rovers announcing plans for a new stadium built entirely of timber. The design is by Zaha Hadid Architects and if granted planning permission it would become the first building of its type in the whole world. The use of wood would give it the lowest carbon footprint too.

Forest Green Rovers have highlighted the need for a new stadium because their existing one is no longer sustainable. The design for a new one, selected after a competition that received more than 50 entries finished, is designed to be eco-friendly from the outset. This aligns with the goals, objectives and eco-beliefs of the club chairman.

The brief for the competition was incredibly challenging but the design entries received are incredible. The winning design uses various timbers in the construction, dramatically cutting the long term carbon footprint of the site. This is a great solution particularly with the fact that three quarters of the carbon typically produced by these structures comes from the building materials.

It is expected that plans for the new stadium will be presented to Stroud District Council in the New Year. A site close to Junction 13 of the M5 has been earmarked as the home for the new stadium. If plans are accepted construction could begin shortly after and it is believed the work could be finished by 2019.

As you can see sports stadiums do present challenges when it comes to eco-friendly design but there are many possibilities. They can become just as efficient and low carbon as other types of commercial architecture.

At Coffey Architects we have a passion for sustainability and designing with the future in mind. We have these philosophies in mind whenever we look at commercial architecture and get involved with designs.