Revolutionizing Public Spaces: The Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium

WTA Studio's Open Stadium Merges Community and Sustainability

Stadiums have long been seen as exclusive arenas, often detached from the daily life of the communities that surround them. WTA Architecture and Design Studio challenges this notion with the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium, a project that stands as a testament to inclusivity and social infrastructure. The stadium's design is inspired by the historical openness of public spaces, drawing from the Panathenaic Stadium's serene connection with nature and the community's collective memory of the site as a place for everyone.

What sets the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium apart is its southern end, a sloping lawn that invites the public to engage with the space in a multitude of ways, from picnics to cultural events, seamlessly integrating with the adjacent park and university. The design's strength lies in its barrier-free concept, offering warm-up tracks beneath the seating area for public use, embodying the principle that architecture should be non-discriminatory, especially in the use of public funds.

The construction of the stadium is a triumph of local craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. It was brought to life by local builders, architects, and engineers, minimizing carbon footprint and fostering the local economy. The structure's materials, from the HDPE seats to the PVC roofing sheets, are locally sourced, reflecting the common building materials used in the region. The roofing's Binakol pattern, a traditional Ilocano design, not only provides a visual connection to local heritage but also scales down the stadium's form to a more approachable size.

Technical specifications of the stadium are impressive, with a seating capacity for 12,000 people and a total construction floor area of 26,613 square meters. The pitch and track area alone spans 16,475 square meters, providing ample space for a variety of sports and community events. The design's multifunctionality extends beyond sports, as it operates as a cultural and daily life center, enhancing community engagement and cultural preservation.

WTA's design process was meticulous, involving site surveys, interviews, and collaboration with local artisans to ensure that the stadium would resonate with the cultural identity of Laoag. The design challenges faced, particularly the advocacy for an open stadium concept, were overcome through persuasive demonstration of the social benefits such openness provides. The result is a stadium that is not just a place for sports but a living part of the community, a park where barriers are non-existent, and a sustainable piece of architecture that stands as a beacon of community pride.

The Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium, completed in May 2023, has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to its innovative design that marries tradition with modernity and serves as a model for future public spaces that prioritize community and sustainability.