Sabah Al Salem University City Stadium – design description

Brand new multi-use stadium in Kuwait is being built within the country’s largest educational project ever, the Sabah Al-Salem University City. The entire complex will house up to 50,000 students of 11 colleges and is located on over 600 hectares in the south west of the metropolis, incidentally just 1.5 km south of the national Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah International Stadium.

The stadium itself is inspired by dove’s wings, represented by two lofted arches and white, partly translucent membrane. The arches are in fact the tallest structures of the entire sports complex, where almost all other buildings have no more than 5 floors.

The auditorium of 15,000 consists of two long grandstands, each with two tiers. They’re connected by a hexagonal elevated concourse, allowing crowds to flow smoothly without impacting traffic. Main ramp leading to the concourse is located in the west.

Because the stadium was built with university athletes in mind, its facilities are to provide international-standard facilities to football players and track and field athletes alike. Thus the 8-lane running track and extensive sporting facilities spread across a few levels under the stands. Amenities behind the auditorium rise to well over 20 metres above ground, or 7 floors. A large, enclosed and air-conditioned hospitality zone tops the stands. From the outside, the stadium will be covered with white aluminium tubes, providing a delicate veil.

Aside from the stadium, the sports and leisure part of the University City comprises a domed tennis court, set of secondary courts, two training football fields and conjoined indoor facilities. Altogether, the complex is worth some KWD 84 million ($278.6 million).