The design firm Populous has been selected to design the centerpiece stadium and arena of Vietnam’s Rach Chiec National Sports Complex after recently completing the masterplan for the 186.78-hectare precinct.
Community Catalysts
Alongside the atadium and the arena the wider master plan integrates an aquatic center, the multipurpose halls, the training facilities, and the sports medicine services around a central park and riverscape. This reflects a shift away from the standalone stadiums toward precincts that function as genuine community catalysts.
Design Concepts
‘POPULOUS’ stated that the project progress was shared with the Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates, who visited Populous’ Asia-Pacific Head Office in Brisbane (Australia) on September 23rd where she was given an early look at the design concepts.
Populous is a global architectural and design practice with regional headquarters in Kansas City (US), London (UK) and Brisbane (Australia) specializing in the sports facilities, the arenas and the convention centers as well as in the planning and design of the major special events.
The 70,000-seat Rach Chiec National Sports Complex is an under- construction sports complex in Bình Trưng (formerly An Phú, Thủ Đức), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is planned to be Vietnam’s second national sports complex after the 50,000-seat Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi.
‘POPULOUS’ further stated that the Vietnamese developer Sun Group has appointed Populous to design the 70,000-seat National Stadium and the 18,000-seat Arena at the heart of the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). The appointment builds on Populous’ earlier role in master planning the near-200-hectare site and follows a groundbreaking ceremony held earlier this year.
Founded in 2007, Hanoi-based the Sun Group is one of Vietnam’s leading private economic groups pioneering the integrated ecosystems across tourism, entertainment, hospitality, real estate, infrastructure, and aviation. Guided by the mission of ‘enhancing beauty to the lands’ the Sun Group has played a transformative role in shaping iconic destinations across Vietnam.
Progressing Concepts
Led by the Senior Principal and APAC Director Andrew Tulen from Populous’s Singapore studio, working alongside the architects and designers in Brisbane and across Populous’ Southeast Asia studios, the design team is now progressing concepts that will place Vietnam firmly on the global sporting and entertainment map.
Community Assets
Tulen said the venues will be world-class, built not just for one-off events but as everyday community assets that give back to the people of Ho Chi Minh City 365 days a year.
‘Park-life Experience’
Asserted Andrew Tulen, Senior Principal, Asia-Pacific (APAC) Regional Board Director, Populous, “The Stadium and Arena design are informed by the master plan for the entire precinct thus providing the anchors for a park-like experience supported by the commercial offerings and activations. We are focusing on making the venues accessible, well-connected and flexible to provide a variety of experiences for all demographics.”
A Landmark for Southeast Asia
Acoustically Rated Roof
The Rach Chiec Stadium will be the first athletic stadium of its size in Southeast Asia to feature a fully retractable, acoustically rated roof that will shield the nearby residential communities from noise during major concerts and events while giving the organizers full control over conditions inside the Bowl.
Nipa Palms
The roof and building form take their inspiration from the Nipa Palms (unique, salt-tolerant mangrove palm trees) that line the waterways surrounding the site, a motif Tulen and the design team studied closely for the way the plants protect the river banks while creating space beneath their canopy for community and trade. That story of resilience, protection and openness has become a guiding design principle for the stadium’s façade thus translating into an open-concourse design that shelters the spectators from the elements while keeping the venue connected to the life of the city around it.
‘Queensland Expertise’
Commenting on the award of the design, Minister Bates said, “Populous is a great example of Queensland expertise competing and winning on the world stage and this appointment is a clear indication of its status as one of Australia’s most significant exporters of design services.”
Positioning Vietnam on the World Sporting Stage
For Vietnam, the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex represents an opportunity to compete for the major international sporting and entertainment events. The master plan was designed to accommodate around 90 percent of Olympic sports with the scale, zoning and security considerations needed to host events of the caliber of the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup competitions. The project also lays the groundwork for Vietnam’s longer-term ambitions to host an Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Technological Innovation
The design has been developed with future technological innovation very much in mind thus recognizing the rapid pace of change in venue operations, fan engagement and event delivery. This includes flexible seating configurations, advanced zone-based air-conditioning and the digital and broadcast infrastructure that the modern events now demand.
Future-ready Technology
The combination of future-ready technology and world-class capacity is intended to ensure the Stadium and Arena remain key venues in the global sport and entertainment calendar.
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