The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd

Bjarke Ingels: 'Dinosaur' new stadiums are 'all the same'

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels has said that modern-day stadiums lack individuality and called for more design studios to be given the opportunity to design sports facilities.

Speaking in an interview with Rolling Stone, the BIG founder said “stadiums are just a total dinosaur”.

"It's the same three or four global offices that have designed all the stadiums,” he said. “Then it becomes this self-fulfilling prophecy, where you have to be a stadium designer to design a stadium. And that means they're all the same."

Ingels was talking to the magazine about his experience of designing the proposed new stadium for US National Football League franchise the Washington Redskins – BIG’s first stadium project.

Described by the Redskins as “a new stadium concept”, the design includes a series of unorthodox features such as a moat for kayaking and surfing; man-made beaches; abseiling ropes descending from the walls; and a grass covered parking lot that encourages spectators to organise communal pre-game picnics from their vehicles.

Ingels’ vision for the stadium has attracted criticism from some quarters, with Twitter users questioning the need for such amenities and the likelihood of BIG delivering the vision presented in the renderings.

However, the architect told The Washington Post in March that stadiums should have multiple uses because “it is a waste of resources to have giant facilities that are only active 10 times a year.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Ingels defended himself against accusations that the reason for his success is his ability to promote headline-grabbing concepts.

He said: "I think the biggest backhanded criticism-compliment I get is that I'm 'good at communicating.' Which implies that you're bad at doing. To me, it's a strength that there's clarity. We know what we're doing, and that's why we can also explain it. The fact that something is actually understandable and relatable doesn't mean that it's unsophisticated or banal. It just means that it's crystal-clear.

“If you can't explain it, that doesn't necessarily mean it's so brilliant that ordinary mortals can't fathom it. It might just mean that it makes no sense."

Bjarke Ingels  BIG  architecture  sport  stadium design  Washington Redskins 
Related stories
14 Mar 2016

REVEALED: Bjarke Ingels' first NFL stadium will be surrounded by a moat for surfing

25 Jan 2016

Are Bjarke Ingels Group designing their first NFL stadium?

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels has said that modern-day stadiums lack individuality and called for more design studios to be given the opportunity to design sports facilities. Speaking in an interview with Rolling Stone, the BIG founder said “stadiums are just a total dinosaur”. "It's the same three or four global offices that have designed all the stadiums,” he said. “Then it becomes this self-fulfilling prophecy, where you have to be
CLD,SAR,ARC,DES,PHR
Ingels said 'the same three or four global offices have designed all the stadiums' / Jonas Bie
More news
News stories: 1 - 30 of 7796     
 
 
 
News stories: 1 - 30 of 7796     
 
 
 
company profile
Company profile: Gharieni Group
30 years of innovation and German engineering, are the cornerstones of the Gharieni Group’s premium global brand – known for its Mind/Body Verified Wellness Technologies – and the highest quality medical, spa, and wellness equipment.
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
The running tracks in the airport are colour coded: red for arrivals and blue for departures. White stenciled symbols direct passengers to the correct part of the building
Naoko Ito Chief creative officer, Party
"I thought it would be interesting to capture the positive feeling that occurs when running"

On why he built a running track into his Tokyo airport redesign

The final three houses will complete the build at the Green Village in Bali
"We want people to feel there’s hope and possibility and magic in the world"

John and Elora Hardy live a wildlife in the jungles of Bali. Magali Robathan finds out more about their work

Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
The concrete shell was cast in southern Norway. The building was constructed on a barge so that it could be lowered into the water
"The Norwegian coast inhabits such beauty"

The world’s most ambitious underwater buildings

The biggest tree that was moved is nicknamed ‘King Tree’
"This carefully choreographed interplay of room and courtyard extends through all scales of the masterplan"

The desire to save a threatened forest and historic buildings in China led to a truly unique resort, We speak to the people that made it happen

features
Joyce Wang’s Hong Kong and London practice has worked extensively with Mandarin Oriental
"Our brief was to create an exclusive suite dedicated to extravagant entertaining"

Designs the 'ultimate retreat for socialising'

CLAD people: Jean Nouvel
Jean Nouvel Architect
"It has spaces inside that exist nowhere else"

On the National Museum of Qatar

cladkit product news
Codelocks develops new glass door smart lock
The new lock model allows facilities and building managers to create and manage access via an app or online portal
Megan Whitby
Codelocks has launched its first glass door smart lock to bring intelligent access control to modern spa, leisure, fitness and ...
CSI Design Expo Americas 2024 announces new Attractions & Entertainment Technology Zone
The event will allow buyers and suppliers to meet
Magali Robathan
Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) invites cruise lines, shipyards, design studios, outfitters, and suppliers to take part in CSI Design Expo ...
Alberto Apostoli designs tech-forward Wellness Therapy furniture collection for Varaschin
The furniture collection draws on absolute geometries, pure lines, neutral colours and strong references to nature
Megan Whitby
Furniture manufacturer Varaschin has unveiled the new Wellness Therapy range, designed by Italian spa and wellness architect and designer Alberto ...
cladkit product news
Siminetti unveils iridescent decorative panelling range inspired by plants
The Clematis design
Megan Whitby
The Botanicals is Siminetti’s newest Mother of Pearl decorative panelling collection, inspired by the distinctive patterns found in botany and ...
Koto Design introduces wood-fired hot tub
Koto is known for crafting modular, energy-neutral cabins and homes
Katie Barnes
A striking wood-fired hot tub has been unveiled by Koto, an architecture and design studio which has a passion for ...
Eco Resort Network conference to convene in Mauritius this May
The event will be hosted in the Mauritius in 2024
Megan Whitby
Hospitality industry event Eco Resort Network is set to take place at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Turtle Bay, Mauritius, from ...
cladkit product news
Mather & Co and ITV unite to create Coronation Street Experience
Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers
Magali Robathan
Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a ...
Alberto Apostoli and Newform collaborate to launch the A.Zeta showerhead
The showerhead offers two modes; rainfall or waterfall
Megan Whitby
Italian architect Alberto Apostoli has renewed his partnership with Newform – an Italian wellness company – and designed A.Zeta. A.Zeta ...
Ojmar introduces battery-free electronic locker to cut carbon footprints in health clubs and spas
Ojmar says the batteryless lock is easy to install and features a user-friendly interface
Megan Whitby
Smart lock manufacturer Ojmar has released the OTS20 Batteryless – the first battery-free electronic locker lock on the market. The ...
x
Sign up with CLAD for regular news updates
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd