As nations around the globe gear up for the kickoff of the World Cup this Friday all eyes are set on its host country, South Africa. In preparation for the world’s largest sporting event the country has unveiled a stunning set of green stadiums that speak to South Africa's history and culture, which was reborn after apartheid to lead the African continent into the 21st century. A total of ten stadiums all across the country will host the games, and a number of them feature cutting-edge sustainable building strategies - read on for a look at the greenest stadiums in the 2010 World Cup!
At number five is the elegant Green Point Stadium. Since it is situated at the foot of Signal Hill between downtown Cape Town and the Sea Point neighborhood, the high-profile location demanded a very sensitive aesthetic design. The skin is a translucent silvery-white membrane that takes on the color of its surroundings while producing a soft glow at night. A truss and cable system supports a semitransparent roof that lets light in but limits solar heat. The stadium has capacity for 68,000 fans, and its design was specifically developed to reduce the venue’s overall profile.
Number four is the Free State Stadium in the city of Bloemfontein, right in the heart of South Africa. It was originally completed in 1952, refurbished in 1995, and was retrofitted again last year for the FIFA Confederations Cup. A great example of green renovation, the stadium features an increased capacity for 45,000 people and is now a major center for multiple sporting events and home to what has been called South Africa’s most fanatical sport fans base.
