Stefano Boeri Architetti has proposed the underdevelopment International Forest Stadium as the new home for football fans of the Milan teams. Located in the heart of a 4.5-hectare public urban park, the stadium will replace the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
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Owing to its location at the park, International Forest Stadium makes nature the protagonist of the football experience. It will thus introduce a new urban landscape for all citizens and serve as a new landmark for the San Siro area and the city.
An overview of the proposal for the construction International Forest Stadium
The proposal is created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that includes ARUP, Fabio Novembre, and Balich Wonder Studio. It is part of a competition for the new Milan Stadium announced in 2019 by the Inter and Milan teams.
The design includes the replacement of the current Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro Stadium). Furthermore, a number of public and semi-public services and functions will be created. These include offices, a hotel, conference centers, and commercial spaces. Thus, they will boost the vitality of the area and foster ongoing use and entertainment.
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Set within a vast ‘Sport and leisure district’ system of over 800 hectares, the proposal serves as a memorial to football and its fans. The relocation of the Patroclus tunnel, which allowed the new structure to be built in the middle of the urban park, was a major challenge for the project.
The structure respects the residents’ needs and comforts by keeping a sufficient distance from the area’s residential buildings.
The new International Forest Stadium in Milan
The project’s goal is to bring nature to the forefront. Consequently, it will be offering a welcoming football experience for its visitors while they watch a game while surrounded by trees and lush vegetation. Furthermore, it will improve the city’s climate by lowering emissions and energy consumption.
The stadium is planned to have 5,700 square meters of horizontal green roofs, 7,000 square meters of green façades with 3,300 trees, and 56,300 shrubs of 70 different species, which are expected to absorb 162 tonnes of CO2 per year. Furthermore, large photovoltaic surfaces embrace the arena, making it self-sufficient in energy and environmentally friendly.
The project aims to introduce a new way of experiencing sports. This is by incorporating public functions and historical references in relation to nature. The International Forest Stadium will also serve as a social hub for the community. It will have commercial areas, museum spaces, gyms, press, and VIP areas. Also included are bars and restaurants among its many appealing features.
More features and amenities
A running track on the top level allows users to train, walk, and take in the scenery. The Tower of Light will serve as a luminous landmark for Milanese teams. This is with the goal of strengthening the ‘One Stadium for Two’ model. The structure is recognizable from a distance from its red and blue lights — the colors of the two famous teams — and changes color depending on the team on the pitch.
The tower houses a museum dedicated to both football clubs. It will also have statues of footballers and coaches who have contributed to the greatness of Milanese football. Furthermore, the project includes a memorial that is always open to the public and tells stories, legends, and memories about Stadio Giuseppe Meazza’s entire history.
