nelson mandela bay stadium by gmp architekten
photo © marcus bredt


the nelson mandela bay stadium is one of the three stadiums that german firm gmp architekten
designed for the 2010 FIFA world cup. located beside the north end lake with terraces
and hills in the middle of prince alfred’s park the stadium is both a football and rugby stadium.

the stadium is set in the surrounding area as a landmark building, rising from the edge of the lake
like a flower. the building is reflected in the water and forms a unique vista.



nelson mandela bay stadium - from a distance
photo © marcus bredt


the silhouette of the stadium indicates the clear design of the structural members. they form
a colonnaded walkway that encloses the whole stadium. the glazed lounge level forms
the horizontal termination of the colonnades. the leaf-shaped roof components, the tips of
which extend as far as the floor at lounge level, float above this ring and round the picture off.



nelson mandela bay stadium - looking out onto the surrounding lake
photo © marcus bredt

the roof structure is oriented to local climate conditions and protects spectators not only
against the sun but also (and particularly) against frequent, violent onshore winds. the protection
takes the form of aluminum caldding carried on triangulated trusses with white ptfe membrane
surfaces in the interstices. all technical facilities such as the sound system and lighting, and also
the maintenance walkway, are integrated into the roof.



nelson mandela bay stadium - main entrance
photo © marcus bredt


the stadium is designed for 48,000 spectators divided into an upper and a lower level.
the rounded design of the stands provides optimum viewing conditions and guarantees
an intimate, emotional atmosphere.

the design takes account not only of function, technical and climatic aspects but also cultural
considerations as well. the façade, which is at the rear of the colonnading, is being finished
by local african craftsmen to give a 700m-wide exhibition of traditional and modern african
culture.



nelson mandela bay stadium
photo © marcus bredt


the construction of the nelson mandela bay stadium offers an opportunity to provide port elizabeth
with a high-quality sports facility that will revitalize the whole urban area. the aim of the design
is to encourage maximum use after the world cup. all the press areas of the stadium can be
turned into offices and leisure facilities. an open area will be created between the stadium
and the sea offering water-based recreation. along with the sports and leisure clubs in port elizabeth
that will use the stadium on a daily basis, the area around prince alfred’s park will develop into
an excursion destination.



nelson mandela bay stadium - detail of roof
photo © marcus bredt



nelson mandela bay stadium - detail of roof
photo © marcus bredt



nelson mandela bay stadium - detail of roof
photo © marcus bredt



nelson mandela bay stadium - interior structure of roof
photo © marcus bredt



nelson mandela bay stadium - interior structure of roof
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



inside the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



structure of the roof
photo © marcus bredt



the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt







the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



the interior of the stadium
photo © marcus bredt



elevation view
image courtesy gmp architekten


elevation view
image courtesy gmp architekten


section of the stadium
image courtesy gmp architekten



floor plan
image courtesy gmp architekten


floor plan
image courtesy gmp architekten



floor plan
image courtesy gmp architekten


floor plan
image courtesy gmp architekten


floor plan
image courtesy gmp architekten


roof plan
image courtesy gmp architekten


roof plan
image courtesy gmp architekten


section view
image courtesy gmp architekten



section view
image courtesy gmp architekten




site plan
image courtesy gmp architekten



project info:
direct commission: in 2005
draft: volkwin marg and hubert nienhoff with holger betz
partner: hubert nienhoff
project: holger betz, silke flaßnöcker
staff draft :robert hormes, burkhard pick, alberto flores, tobias schaer, martin krebs
staff pick: execution burkhard, martin krebs, margret böthig
working with: ada architectural design associates, dhiro kalian, dominic bonness architects;
noh architects, gapp architects
structural engineering: sdd8e joint venture; roof: schlaich berger und partner
electrical: clinkscale maughan-brown
plumbing / heating: wsp consulting engineers
ventilation: wsp consulting engineers
fire: clinkscale maughan-brown
project manager: bks engineering and management
grinkaker general, lta / interbeton
construction period: from december 2006 to december 2009
capacity: 46 000 seats for the 2010 world cup
gross floor area: 50,000 m2
amount of roof pitch to about 40 m
amount of landscape (the lower tier is buried), about 33 m
owner: nelson mandela bay municipality