Cox Architecture have been selected to design a new stadium at Moore Park in Sydney, Australia.

Set to replace the Allianz stadium, which was built in 1988 by the firm’s principal, Philip Cox, the arena is planned to be a 45,000-seat "civic infrastructure" that will provide extensive amenities and services to "multiple specialist and public groups".

Cox’s design director, Pete Sullivan said the new building would "provide a superior platform for sports and events spectacle for teams, performers and fans".

Calling the design "nothing short of world class", New South Wales sports minister Stuart Ayres said it would create a "colosseum of sound and colour" that will set the standard for rectangular stadiums in Australia.

The stadium plan, however, has not been met with all-around enthusiasm.

The initial refurbishment proposition, which was first announced by the Australian government in March 2018, was heavily criticised by Australia-based architectural firm Bates-Smart.

In September, Philip Vivian, the firm's director, proposed building a new area over Sydney’s Central Station railyard and lambasted the then estimated AU$981m (US $712.5m, €614.4m, £541m) scheme to demolish the Allianz space as a counterproductive expenditure.

Construction on the stadium is slated to being in early 2019 and conclude in 2020.

Bates Smart condemns Sydney stadium plans, talks of upcoming "renaissance" in urban renewal