The program takes into account the natural advantages of the location and the existing interventions in the terrain, maintaining as many of the existing trees on site as possible.
It also takes into account the fact that the stadium has 13.000 seats, meaning it has to obtain 4 stars according to UEFA categorization and also have an additional 3.000m2 of public space. The stadium will also require external arrangements that will provide quality traffic organization and controlled/separate access during the match and in everyday use.
The final aspect of the complex is to have a recognizable image of this dominant facility, placed in the soft surrounding greenery. The stadium will have its own, distinctive modern character and will be based on an environmental and user friendly approach. The arena forms a unified rounded dome which gives the impression of a single enclosed object and despite its medium size it has the impression of a large, dominant and powerful landmark.
Internally, the rounded arena provides good acoustics and an extroversive atmosphere during the game for both, players and fans and during training time it allows for introverted concentration on the game. The playing surface has N–S orientation, with a total area of 85x105m, 68x105m of which is designated for playing. The remaining area allows enough space for the installation of advertising screens, photographers and cameras.
The seats are arranged around the playing field in rows of 17 along the long sides and rows of 27-28 along the short sides. The west upper gallery is reserved for press and the east for VIP. There are 250 seats reserved for VIP. Access to this area is via an elevator directly next to the entrance area with the option of car driveway. VIP seats are designed to high standards and have the opportunity to link smaller individual units rented by companies or groups.
As part of the VIP stands there are two separate rooms with a bar and entertainment space for during the break. On the opposite side are the press cabins and seats with tables for 40 journalists with direct access to stairs for the press room and the mix zone. Separate access for soccer players is from the lower platform, with direct access for team buses and parking.
On entry point to the field there are two dressing rooms, mix zone, physiotherapy and a space for doping control. There are 4 floors with extra program and service facilities, under the west stand area, 3 floors under the east side and on the west side 2 floors. The foyer for visitors is located on the first floor level and has 4 stairway access points. It is a covered plateau, naturally ventilated and unheated area.
This space contains the visitors' toilets, bars (drinks and snacks), first-aid room and detention; it will be used as a place to break during half time. The space extends all around the inner stadium arena, with the toilets and bars designed as closed, isolated heated boxes. 3.000 m2 of public program is distributed on zero level on the N, S and E.
In the eastern part a restaurant and bowling area are located. The restaurant is used during the match as a VIP restaurant and a service elevator for catering serves, VIP lounge and the bar within the public foyer. In the southern part there are public fitness/gym studios. Other public area spaces are designed for various commercial activities.
All the restaurants have individual access from the public platform. Around the stadium is a rounded pedestrian square acting as a meeting area and also as a peripheral roundabout. Out of it parking pockets are organized hidden into the existing forest area. When there is no match on these areas can be used for skating, rollerblading, carting etc...
Location: Borisov, Belarus
Architect: OFIS Architects
Project Team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik, Konstantine Bogoslavsky, Janez Martincic, Katja Aljaz, Janja Del Linz, Andrej Gregoric, Ana Kosi, Ieva Cicenaite, Grzegorz Ostrowski, Filip Knapczyk, Sergio Silva Santos
Areas: 3.628 m2 of public program, 480 m2 offices and 2.000 m2 service program
Seats: 12.896 seats for audience
Budget: 28 mio EUR / football facilities, 35-40 mio EUR including public program and offices
Client: PC Bate and Government of Belarus