soccer city south africa world cup 2010

‘soccer city stadium’ by boogertman urban edge and partners together with populous

soccer city stadium is located in johannesburg and it was originally built in 1987. 

designed by boogertman urban edge and partners in partnership with populous, allows for 94,000 spectators to enjoy the best soccer in the world. the design of the stadium was selected from a series of concept designs ranging from acknowledgement of johannesburg’s disappearing mine dumps; the kgotla (defined by the tree) of the african city state; the african map as a horizontal representation, which included the roof as a desert plane supported on tropical trees set within the mineral wealth of southern africa; to a representation of the protea, south africa’s national flower.

the calabash, or african pot, was selected as being the most recognizable object to represent what would automatically be associated with the african continent and not any other. the calabash, or ‘melting pot of african cultures’, sits on a raised podium, on top of which is located a ‘pit of fire’. thus the pot sits in a depression, which is the ‘pit of fire’, as if it were being naturally fired.

the ticket stand

the entrance

a view of the stadium during the day

a view of the stadium during the day

a view of the stadium at night

a view of the stadium at night

a view of the stadium at night

a view of the stadium at night

a view of the stadium at night

the construction process