Italian firm wins King Fahd Int’l Stadium contract

Once Schiattarella Associati has completed modification works, Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium will be able to accommodate 50,000 spectators.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Sports has awarded a contract to Schiattarella Associati for the modification of King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

Under the terms of the deal, the Italy-headquartered architect will oversee the refurbishment of a section of the stadium large enough to accommodate almost 50,000 spectators.

Schiattarella Associati had to see off competition from five other architects in order to secure the refurbishment contract.

Commenting on the win, the firm’s Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella said: “Our proposal starts from the idea of solving the new functional requirements, introducing shapes and volumes that are not only integrated into the existing architecture, but enhance the value of the stadium itself.”

The company’s proposal features an artificial hill at the base of the stadium, which will be used to link ground- and concourse-level bleachers. Approximately 1,000 parking spaces will be installed beneath the artificial hill, and access areas to the facility’s West Stand will be integrated in line with FIFA requirements.

A green area will separate the hill and the stadium, allowing natural light to illuminate its entrances and acting as a filter between the facility and its parking lots.

Schiattarella Associati’s previous GCC projects include the Celebration Hall of Riyadh and the Addirriyah Art Centre in Saudi Arabia, and the Qatar Underwater Archaeological Museum (QUAM).