Christchurch stadium unveiled as "final anchor project of the city's rebuild"

A transparent roof covers the grass field at One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, designed by architecture studios Populous and Warren & Mahoney as part of the rebuilding of Christchurch following the 2011 earthquake.

Populous and Warren & Mahoney designed the stadium as a multi-use venue for sporting events and concerts.

It replaces the Lancaster Park Stadium, which sustained damage in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and was demolished in 2019.

The major earthquake and its aftershocks tore through the city, claiming the lives of 185 people and destroying numerous buildings.

One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha has a grass playing field and a fixed roof made from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a plastic polymer that is often used as an alternative to glass.

"The fixed roof combines a lightweight structure with transparent ETFE, precisely calibrated to provide optimal natural light to sustain the living turf below, while creating a bright, weather-protected environment that elevates every moment within," said Populous senior principal Josh Robson.

The exterior of the stadium is wrapped in a steel facade with a patterned surface designed to recall the surrounding landscape.

Bowl seating was decorated in a bespoke Māori kowhaiwhai pattern informed by the hammerhead shark, which symbolises strength and tenacity.

According to Populous, the stadium is the largest construction project undertaken by Christchurch City Council, accommodating over 37,000 people for concert events.

"It is far more than a stadium, it is a place where collective memory is made, where victories are shared, artists are celebrated, and the community gathers in moments of unity," said Populous director Chris Paterson.

"As the final anchor project of the city's rebuild, we designed the stadium to embody resilience and renewal, standing as a physical expression of the region's strength and optimism," Paterson continued.

"In bringing people together, it reinforces the enduring connections between people and place and ensures the stadium belongs not just to the city, but to its people."

Other stadiums featured on Dezeen include the Olympic ice rink in Milan by David Chipperfield Architects and Arup, and a waterfront stadium in Guangzhou by Zaha Hadid Architects.

The photography is by Dennis Radermacher.

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