Forest Green Rover Eco Park is set to become the most sustainable and eco-friendly football stadium in the world thanks to its innovative design and commitment to renewable energy and biodiversity.
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the wooden stadium is the first of its kind in the world and aims to have the lowest possible carbon footprint.
The stadium will be home to Forest Green Rovers football club, already known for their sustainable practices on and off the pitch. The stadium is part of a larger project called Eco Park, which will include a technology business park and an area dedicated to commerce and offices.
The £100million project will be largely funded by clean energy supplied by Ecotricity, with 80% of the electricity needed to be generated on site via solar and wind power. Additionally, the stadium design has been optimized to minimize the impact on local biodiversity, and landscaping around the stadium is expected to improve biodiversity by 12%.
Zaha Hadid’s wooden stadium is 20 meters high and will be built with certified wood. The stadium will initially accommodate 5,000 people in the first phase, which will double in the second phase. All elements of the structure, including the roof beams, awning covering, supporting structure and finishes, will be made of wood. A transparent membrane will cover the roof to encourage grass growth while minimizing the aesthetic impact of the stadium on the surrounding landscape.
FIFA has already named Forest Green Rover the most environmentally friendly and sustainable club, and the new wooden stadium will help cement that position. As well as maximizing the use of renewable energy, the club has also implemented green policies in its player supply, with an emphasis on waste management and recycling.
In short, Zaha Hadid’s wooden stadium at Forest Green Rover Eco Park is a major step in the sustainable design and construction of environmentally friendly football stadiums. With a focus on renewable energy and biodiversity, the stadium is an example of how football can lead the way to a more sustainable future.
More information: www.eco-park.com
