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<p>Scope: Multipurpose sporting complex adaptable for cultural and leisure activities. Part of broader master plan for Saida's northern entrance. Designed to international standards, enabling Lebanon to host 2000 AFC Asian Cup. Engineered submersed wave-breaker protecting facility from 7-meter winter waves.<br>Challenge: Achieve dual Lebanese Government objectives: deliver international-standard stadium qualifying Lebanon to host 2000 AFC Asian Cup while integrating major sports infrastructure into existing urban fabric of Saida without disruption. Preserve uninterrupted sea views for pedestrians along Saida corniche despite large-scale stadium intervention. Design facility that functions beyond athletic events to justify investment and encourage civic use.<br>Approach: Stadium reconceived as catalyst within broader master plan for Saida's northern entrance rather than isolated sports facility. Subtle architectural language preserves equilibrium of Saida's urban fabric while adding sports component - avoiding monumental stadium typology that dominates surroundings. Strategic positioning and massing protect corniche sea views. Flexible design enables conversion for civic events, concerts, and cultural programming - transforming stadium into frequent gathering and entertainment destination for citizens beyond match days. Submersed wave-breaker engineered to protect coastal facility from extreme winter wave conditions (7-meter waves).<br>Status: Completed 2000 - successfully hosted 2000 AFC Asian Cup</p>
Urban planning and design
Architecture design
Interior design
Structural engineering
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Infrastructure enigneering
Landscape design
Architect of record
Construction supervision
Laceco responded to the above objectives by:
Designing a consistent urban framework that nevertheless provided a diversity in the individual architectural character of buildings.
Curating a seamless pedestrian experience in a site that had a challenging topography and was exposed to dominant winds.
Anchoring the site along three platforms linked to each other by a continuous game of terraces, stairs, suspended bridges and esplanades that gently slope down the length of the development.
Conducting value engineering and cost optimization studies to preserve economic viability of the development.
Laceco responded to these objectives
by rethinking the city‚ northern entrance and conceiving the stadium as a catalyst integrated within a broader master plan.
The new proposal adopts a subtle architecture that preserves the equilibrium of Saida‚ urban fabric while enriching it with a sports component. The design also
makes sure that views to the sea for pedestrians walking along the Saida corniche are uninterrupted. The stadium
is designed so that it can be converted
for civic events, leading to its frequent
use by citizens as a gathering and entertainment spot. The design also features a submersed wave-breaker
that protects the project from 7-meter winter waves.
