'We're trying to invoke emotion': Stadium architects on what CGI tells fans

'We're trying to invoke emotion': Stadium architects on what CGI tells fans

2 hours ago Share Save George Sandeman BBC News Share Save

Reuters Architects said a club's brand message was a central tenet of modern stadium design

In the world of billionaires and the similarly wealthy teams they own, designing a state-of-the-art stadium goes beyond the visual. In the offices of architecture firm Arup, there is a downstairs soundproof room with premium grade surround-sound speakers and a large screen. It looks like a small theatre. "We can put a client in there and say, 'when your team scores, this is what it will sound like if your stadium roof is shaped this way,'" says Chris Dite, who is responsible for the firm's sports projects. "But, if we change the roof shape to this, then this is what it will sound like." The way the pitch and intensity of the crowd noise changes in the aftermath of a goal is based on data from stadium projects the firm have completed over the last 25 years. Dite's previous work includes the Allianz Arena used by German football giants Bayern Munich and the Gtech Community Stadium where Brentford play.

Brentford FC/Getty The design of Brentford's new stadium in west London (left) next to the finished building

"If you can sit the client in those front rows and make them feel like they're in it, that's where you start to really invoke an emotional response," Dite tells BBC News. What a goal might sound like in the new Manchester United stadium was not part of the presentation given by the club earlier this week, but the design of the new £2bn ground certainly invoked emotional responses. Some questioned how realistic it was to build such tall pillars from which a glass panelled canvas drapes over the new stands and surrounding grounds. The three pillars in the artist's impression, unveiled by the firm Foster and Partners, are a nod to the trident on the Red Devil's crest. "Gravity still exists, unfortunately for us," remarks Dite. He says he "can't comment on other architectural businesses" but that Arup doesn't issue any public designs that haven't been approved by structural engineers. "We don't want to get into the situation of showing a client or fans an image that everyone falls in love with, that everybody gets behind. "And then, when it comes to being a finished building, everyone's like 'well, that doesn't look anything like the picture'." Prof Kevin Singh, head of the Manchester School of Architecture, explains modern building techniques mean many of an architect's ideas are possible to construct, though there are limitations. Housing and infrastructure that surround an existing stadium, particularly in an inner city or residential area, can limit the scope of ambitious redevelopment.

Tottenham Hotspur FC/BBC A CGI drawing of Tottenham's new stadium (above) and the final product in north London

Both Liverpool and Newcastle United have had difficulties expanding their grounds due to their close proximity to houses. One stand at Luton Town can only be accessed through an entrance sandwiched between a long row of terraced housing. Fans pass through a tight corridor before climbing staircases overlooking gardens of neighbouring properties. Singh points towards the way Fulham have redeveloped Craven Cottage in a residential part of west London and Everton's new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock as good examples of stadiums that "fit into its place". He said: "Everton's feels contextual. You know it's on the dock and it has some nods to Goodison Park," he told the BBC. "When you saw the images of the stadium, it looked like the sort of thing you would build there." In contrast, he thinks Man Utd have chosen to construct something striking that can't be confused for any other stadium. "It's very much an iconic thing in itself," he says. "They're justifying that sort of design because of the trident." Singh adds: "I think nobody could say that the proposal for Old Trafford is like anything else. I think avoiding anonymity was probably a key consideration."

Everton FC/PA An artist impression of Everton's new stadium (top) and the real thing before its opening in February

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