[imagesource: Fenwick Iribarren Architects]

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is edging ever nearer.

Unlike previous World Cups, this one won’t take place over June and July. Due to the extreme heat of Qatar, the tournament will kick off on November 21 and run through to December 18.

The country has built a number of new stadiums especially for the tournament (not without controversy), but Stadium 974 stands apart from the rest for one unique reason.

Here’s Dezeen:

Formerly known as Ras Abu Aboud, the 40,000-seat sports venue near Doha’s port is the first stadium designed to be fully demountable in FIFA World Cup history.

Stadium 974 was designed by Spanish studio Fenwick Iribarren Architects with structural engineers Schlaich Bergermann Partner and engineering consultancy Hilson Moran.

Image: Fenwick Iribarren Architects

Its modular structure combines repurposed shipping containers and a steel structure, parts of which are recycled.

The aim is for the stadium to be dismantled and reassembled in a new location after the football tournament in 2022, or repurposed as a series of smaller venues.

The name is derived from the fact that 974 shipping containers were used in construction, and +974 is also Qatar’s international dialling code.

Using shipping containers reduced construction costs, as well as the time it took to build and the waste associated with the process.

According to Stadium 974’s precinct director, the original design idea was inspired by a Lego set and the logistics of being able to repurpose the containers after the tournament is completed.

Fine, let them handle that and let local freight logistics experts Berry & Donaldson handle any dealings you have with airlines, shipping companies, and customs-related processes.

Stadium 974’s design also has other perks:

…water efficiency methods ensure it will reduce water use by 40 per cent compared to a conventional stadium development…

Image: Fenwick Iribarren Architects

The shape of the stadium and gaps between the seats facilitate natural ventilation, meaning artificial cooling is not required. This is helped by the stadium’s proximity to the sea.

When fans arrive in Qatar, Stadium 974 will be the first stadium they see as it’s located close to Hamad International Airport.

On November 30 it hosts its first match, and it will host seven matches in total during the tournament.

It appears unlikely that Bafana Bafana will qualify, as we await the outcome of our appeal to FIFA regarding the officiating in our 1-0 loss to Ghana.

We’re seeking a replay of the match, with FIFA expected to announce its decision this week.

[source:dezeen]