STADIUM NOW

Stadiums have come a long way in the last decade.

Within Australia there are a variety of different stadia that provide facilities for sporting events, concerts for local and overseas artists and private function facilities. Stadiums are multi faceted in their form and function.

The first grand stadium in Melbourne was the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) built in 1853 and established by the Melbourne Cricket Club. It was home to the 1956 Olympic Games, but as the name suggests, the origins of this field was for the play of Cricket. Over time, however, this has changed to incorporate football and soccer.

Since then other stadia have been built in Melbourne. Etihad stadium in the Docklands was built in 2000 and was originally called Colonial Stadium and then Telstra Dome. There has been much recent discussion regarding plans to renovate and extend the Docklands stadium. Aami Park Stadium designed by Cox Architects, is the home of soccer in Melbourne. And Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas are the home of tennis.

Overseas there are many examples of new technology being implemented into stadia design. Nike Stadium which was recently completed in Manila, Philippines, and designed by BBH Singapore, has its floor plan based on the design of the footprint of a Nike 'LunarEpic' running shoe. Its technology provides a world first LED running track for athletes to practice and perfect their sport, by running against their 'virtual' self.

Advances in stadium design are improving constantly. With examples such as The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Georgia, having an eight panel 'pin wheel' retractable roof and one of the largest video screens in the world, designed by architecture and engineering company HOK.

With the recent opening of Banc of California Stadium by Gensler Architects, the possibilities for stadium design and technological innovations are now endless.