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To minimise the impact of the stadium design on the playing surface, it is essential that the pitch designer works closely with the architect at early design stage


The North Stand comprises one low level seating tier due to its proxim- ity to the nearby residential area


PITCH PERFECT The stadium’s green credentials in-


clude more than the vibrant pitch and emerald coloured seats. More than 1,500 tonnes of recycled steelwork from the old stadium has been used in its con- struction. The crystalline bowl harvests rainwater to irrigate the field of play, waste heat is reused for hot water and the transparent roof allows daylight to suffuse the interior spaces. Inside the stadium energy-saving features include waterless urinals, energy and water meters and standby power to the escala- tors, which operate automatically when people step onto them. The horseshoe-shaped roof structure


has created a strong image for Irish sport around the world. With sports tourism becoming a major source of revenue, the IRFU and FAI have estimated that a minimum of five football and rugby inter- nationals a year could be worth upwards of 250m (£211m) to the Irish economy – not to mention conference business.


Issue 1 2011 © cybertrek 2011


dium and external training pitch. STRI turf consultant James Westway says: “We had an active involvement with architects and engineers. We assisted with the selection of the specialist sports ground sub-contractors and, once the pitch construction works were underway, we carried out regu- lar site visits to monitor their progress and compliance with the requirements of the specification. Extensive testing of materials was carried out at STRI’s laboratories and approval of pitch construction materials was also under- taken as part of the project.” “In order to minimise the impact


P


of the stadium design on the play- ing surface, it is essential that the pitch designer works closely with the main architect during the early design stages of the project,” Westway ad- vises. “This can involve assessing the light availability over the pitch surface from the proposed design structure and advising how this will affect grass


itch consultant STRI was involved in preparing the design and specifications for the main sta-


growth. If there’s going to be a signifi- cant shading effect, the pitch designer can suggest modifications to the roof design such as increasing the opening and/or increasing the amount of translu- cent panels within it,” he says. “We also take environmental issues


into account and consideration is given to energy and water conservation; ensur- ing the build and ongoing management of the pitch is sustainable.”


Unique challenges Built on the footprint of the old stadium with a restricted site perimeter, there used to be two rugby pitches outside the stadium. However, under the new design, Westway explains that there was only room for one external pitch, which had to be built on top of an un- derground car park – integral to the new stadium complex. “As this pitch will be used by two clubs


for both matches and training, a deci- sion was made to provide a 3G synthetic turf pitch rather than natural turf which would not have withstood the required level of usage,” Westway says.


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© POPULOUS / PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRIS GASCOIGNE


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