The acclaimed architects from Switzerland are working on Stamford Bridge expansion study. According to Architect’s Journal this may be their key work in English sports stadia.

Herzog & de Meuron is reportedly working on plans to revamp the west London home of Chelsea Football Club to make room for as many as 60,000 spectators.

According to the Architects' Journal, the Swiss firm led by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron is working alongside Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands to explore how Chelsea FC can increase capacity at the 41,837-seat Stamford Bridge stadium.

Photo: Brent Flanders (cc: by-nc-nd)

Adding nearly 20,000 additional seats isn’t a problem on its own, however doing so within the very restricted plot the stadium occupies is the challenge. Architects need to work out ways to provide access to the stadium, while also respecting historical buildings and road/rail limitations nearby.

Chelsea initially declared Stamford Bridge expansion as unfeasible, trying to relocate to several nearby locations, most notably Earls Court and the Battersea power station (rendering below). But all attempts proved futile. That’s why in mid-2014 the club returned to the idea of adding more seats to the current stadium.

Worth mentioning, Herzog and de Meuron are known for designing only one landmark stadium in a country. In China it’s the Olympic Stadium, in Germany Allianz Arena, in Switzerland their home town ground of St. Jakob Park and most recently in France – Stade Atlantique.

The office already had a scheme for England too, but Portsmouth riverfront stadium (left) never came to fruition. Will Chelsea’s project become the English stadium for the famous Swiss duo?