Liberty Stadium: A Confluence of Architecture and Structure

Designers Aysan Moosvai and Farzad Saeidi's Award-Winning Stadium Design

The inspiration for Liberty Stadium stemmed from the idea of showcasing the lightness of the structure to audiences and using the structure as an architectural element. The designers aimed to express the structure as an inherent part of the architectural language of the building. The design stands out for its open, closed, and semi-closed spaces that allow audiences to circulate and feel closer to the structures. These structures, beyond their functional role, also have an aesthetic role and define spaces.

The unique properties of Liberty Stadium lie in its use of structures not just as functional elements, but also as aesthetic components that define spaces. For instance, the pedestals were designed to provide platforms for the audience to sit, creating a link between architecture and structure. The design also emphasizes the importance of open, closed, and semi-closed spaces to facilitate audience circulation and a closer connection to the structures.

The realization of Liberty Stadium involved the use of lightweight aggregates to reduce the weight of structural elements and optimize them. A pre-fabrication system was used to produce repeating elements, with part of the production taking place in a factory and the assembly of parts on-site. This method offers numerous benefits, including energy efficiency, financial savings, flexibility, consistent quality, reduced site disruption, shorter construction time, and improved safety.

The technical specifications of the stadium measure approximately 185*165*50 meters. The design process, which started in October 2018 and finished in January 2019, took place in Tehran at the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST). The design research involved modular cladding design with Grasshopper to optimize sunlight, costs, and form finding. The designers also considered Iran's location in the earthquake zone and used multiple structural elements to ensure that a problem with one would not damage the entire structure.

Liberty Stadium faced several design challenges, including the introduction of entrances, structural elements design, cladding design, and load transfer onto four towers in four corner stadiums. Despite these challenges, the designers were able to create a unique and innovative design that won the Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation.