Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
In August 2017, designs for a football stadium to be built for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup were unveiled.
Designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah, the stadium has a diamond-patterned exterior based on the gahfiya, a tightly-fitted knitted cap traditionally worn by Arab men. The diamond-shaped perforations on the circular stadium’s exterior form larger rhombic shapes with rounded forms in between. A circular opening in the roof, together with modern cooling systems, will enable it to be used for sporting events all-year round.
The stadium will seat 40,000 spectators, and is the most central of the 8 venues for the 2022 tournament.
However, the event continues to be mired in controversy, with the ongoing Gulf crisis threatening to limit air space around Qatar, and prohibiting the passage of goods through Saudi Arabia. In addition, there are continuing charges from human rights groups who claim migrant workers have been abused and exploited. An investigation by The Guardian in 2014, found that more than 500 Indian migrants and 382 Nepalese nationals had died since 2012 building the infrastructure for the event.
The stadium is to be built by AlJaber Engineering and Turkish construction company Tekfen, with an expected completion date of 2020.
The other 7 stadiums are currently under construction, including the stadium that will host the opening and closing ceremonies, designed by Foster + Partners, and the Al Wakrah stadium designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
According to Jaidah; "The reveal of Al Thumama Stadium design comes with immense pride in having contributed to the delivery of the first World Cup in the history of Qatar and the region. The inspiration behind the design comes in line with Qatar's hosting promise that this World Cup will be one for the region to celebrate. I believe it will be a stadium design that resonates with the Arab community, and we are extremely proud to have designed this innovative venue."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.