Stadion Floriana Krygiera (II) – design description

The concept was created by Msc architect Sebastian Łabędź as his master thesis, under supervision of Assoc. Prof. Grzegorz Wojtkun, and foresees complete redevelopment of the existing Stadion im. Floriana Krygiera into a top-category football-specific ground.

Very much like the official stadium redevelopment scheme by the city of Szczecin, this concept would see the field left as is it in terms of orientation, only slightly moved to the west in order to make better use of available space. Having removed old facilities, new grandstands would be built from scratch, fitting 5 levels of floor space within the auditorium.

Much effort was put into making the stadium a multi-use venue, housing not only typical sporting and administrative facilities. In order to meet such goal, the author decided to create a commercial/retail complex within the stadium's 3rd level, surrounding the entire stadium. It would bring the stadium to life not only once a week but on a daily basis.

In total there is 35,855 m² of usable floor space, including vast parking beneath the stands, with two levels in the west and north and a single level in the south stand. The south side, considered the main grandstand, hosts all of the crucial sporting, media and hospitality facilities, while newly built east end (old stadium is an open horseshoe) would provide well-exposed commercial facilities for non-matchday revenue.

Above 3rd level's commercial facilities are the toilets and sanitary amenities for matchday use. Above them, in turn, the public concourse. Yes, this means fans enter the stadium from the 5th level. Why? This is owed to natural land slope and stadium location – much like the new Besiktas arena – below ground level on two sides.

With this solution, supporters enter the stadium already on top of the steep lower tier and only have one small staircase to take in order to get onto the upper tier, created on three sides. Lack thereof on the east side is caused by the stadium's form declining in height towards the south-east.

Classic reinforced-concrete and steel girders of the main roof are covered with subtle parametric roof, filled with ETFE cushions. The resulting dome is also hanging above ground to give an impression of levitation, as if a soft cloud.

Bulk of the ETFE skin is translucent and white, while the south-eastern part is transparent. This way, together with the stadium's slope, proper sunlight access to the field is secured. Also, the roof above the west end is curved despite rectangular seating bowl, which pays homage to the current horseshoe shape.

Known from many modern stadiums, the ETFE wrap enables an impressive and dynamic illumination at night. It also should be noted that the stadium offers floodlight masts. It's a creative approach at combining traditional stadium layout with modern solutions. The masts are created by subtle elevation of roof segments, making it seemingly even lighter.

The stadium's parametric architecture also extends to the main building of nearby football training academy and – in more simplistic form – to kiosks spread around the stadium.