Soccer stadium from Zaha Hadid Architects will be constructed almost entirely of wood

Acting as the centerpiece of the $120 million-plus Eco Park development in Stroud, UK, a soccer stadium constructed almost entirely of wood is looking to become the greenest in the world. The architect, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), won a design competition for the opportunity to design the new home of the Forest Green Rovers.

Being constructed almost completely from wood is not just a first for a soccer stadium, but for any sports stadium anywhere in the world. All of the timber for the project will be ethically and sustainably sourced. One of the few non-wood elements of the structure is a transparent membrane that will cover the roof and provide shade while still allowing for the turf on the playing surface to grow.

The stadium, which can be used year-round for additional activities other than soccer, will have a capacity of 5,000 people and aims to be carbon neutral or even carbon negative. To help achieve this goal, there will be on-site renewable energy generation

According to ecotricity, the project’s developer, the stadium will have the lowest embodied carbon of any stadium in the world and will hopefully spur other eco-friendly development of a similar nature in the Eco Park development, which spans 100 acres and will be used mainly as a center for sports and sports science. Opposite of the sports and sports science segment of the park will be a green technology business park with sustainably built commercial offices and industrial units.  It is estimated Eco Park’s business section has the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs. A nature reserve is also included in the overall Eco Park proposal.

ZHA’s design for the new stadium was selected from over 50 entries submitted by firms from around the world.