MZ Architects’ Rock Stadium is a Seamless Marriage Between Man-Made and Natural Elements

With its plan for the new Rock Stadium, Lebanese design firm <a href="http://www.mz-architects.com/">MZ Architects</a> addresses the question of how to design a modern stadium that is located near a powerful natural site while preserving its authenticity. Instead of building the stadium next to the rocky hillside, MZ decided to build it within the existing geographical features, resulting in an award-winning <a href="http://inhabitat.com/apogee-stadium-us-first-leed-platinum-stadium-uses-wind-turbines-to-power-its-games/">green sports stadium</a> that is hidden in the desert sands of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. Inspired by ancient greet temples and stadia, MZ Architects cleverly played with mass and void relationships, creating a careful balance between man-made and natural elements.

Beams of light illuminates the site at night turning the stadium into a powerful and symbolic place for national events and activity.

MZ Architects designed the stadium to maximize the use of on-site and local material while merging landscape and architecture thus inviting the visitor to a seamless experience between stadium activities and the desert landscape.

From a distance the stadium melts into the surrounding respecting the beauty of the landscape.

The 200,000 m² structure relies on a series of emerging planes to mold the space

The stadium with have a capacity of about 40,000 seats.

Al Ain, which is surrounded by rocky hills, is the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates.