The Rugby Football Union (RFU) (UK) has confirmed the appointment of the design firm Populous as the Architect and Lead Designer for the Allianz Stadium Masterplan Project.
‘POPULOUS’ stated that Twickenham has been the home of England Rugby for over 100 years. In this time, the game has become an essential part of the fabric of the United Kingdom and visiting the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London, England (UK) is a highlight of many people’s year.
Twickenham (UK)-based the Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England. It was founded in 1871 and was the sport’s international governing body prior to the formation of what is now known as the World Rugby in 1886.
Populous is a global architectural and design practice with regional headquarters in Kansas City (US), London (UK) and Brisbane (Australia) specializing in sports facilities, arenas and convention centers as well as in the planning and design of major special events.
The 82,000-capacity Twickenham Stadium (usually known as Twickenham and for sponsorship purposes known as the Allianz Stadium Twickenham) is a rugby union stadium in Twickenham, London, England (UK). It is owned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the English rugby union governing body.
‘POPULOUS’ further stated that as the governing body for rugby union in England the Rugby Football Union (RFU) is dedicated to enriching lives by introducing more people to rugby union and developing the sport for the future generations. All profit generated is reinvested into the game to support its growth at all levels through community programs and investment into player development, professional clubs, community clubs, and the England national teams. Like all businesses they face financial pressures from the economic challenges, the rising costs and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these challenges lie in how they maximize and invest in their biggest asset, the Allianz Stadium, which generates around 85 percent of their revenues.
The Stadium Masterplan Project has been established to support the RFU to develop a vision and multiyear plan for the future that looks at how the stadium can maintain its reputation as a world-class entertainment venue for sports and concerts and, in turn, generate more income all while becoming an asset that the local communities can be proud of.
Populous (in its former entity as the Lobb Partners) designed the former South Stand at the Twickenham Stadium – with its iconic curved-arch roof – that stood from 1991 to 2005.
The other rugby stadiums the practice has designed globally include the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium in Cardiff (UK), the 51,700-capacity Aviva Stadium in Dublin (Ireland), the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (Australia), to name a few.
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