stefano boeri's forest stadium to stand as a green lung for milan

a new green Stadium in Milan by Stefano Boeri

Stefano Boeri Architetti proposed the International Forest Stadium to host the new home for the Milan teams’ football fans, standing as a new landmark for the San Siro area and the city. Set in the heart of a 4.5-hectare public urban park, the project makes nature the protagonist of the football experience, introducing a new urban landscape for all citizens. Developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including ARUP, Fabio Novembre, and Balich Wonder Studio, the proposal is part of a competition, announced in 2019 by the Inter and Milan teams, for the new Milan Stadium.

The design sees the replacement of the current Meazza Stadium, and in addition to the sports facility, it accommodates a series of public and semi-public services and functions, such as offices, a hotel, conference centers, and commercial spaces, in order to boost the vitality of the area, and foster an ongoing use and entertainment.

all renders ©Stefano Boeri Architetti

a green lung for the milan

Set within the extensive ‘Sport and leisure district’ system of over 800 hectares, the proposal act as a monument to football and its fans. A major challenge of the project was the relocation of the Patroclus tunnel, in order to allow the new structure to be built in the middle of the urban park. With a sufficient distance from the residential buildings of the area, the structure respects the residents’ needs and comforts.

The aim of the project is to bring nature to the forefront, providing a welcoming football experience for its visitors who are surrounded by trees and lush vegetation, while enjoying a match. As the team at Stefano Boeri Architetti (see more here) has mentioned, they sought to create ‘a green lung for the metropolis and a place of green connection in the urban fabric’. The project’s target is to contribute to the city’s climate, reducing emissions and energy consumption. More specifically, the stadium is designed to host 5,700 sqm of horizontal green roofs, 7,000 sqm of green façades with 3,300 trees, and 56,300 shrubs of 70 different species, which are expected to absorb 162 tonnes of CO2 annually. Moreover, large photovoltaic surfaces embrace the arena making it energy self-sufficient and environmentally friendly.

flexible hospitality spaces make the Stadium accessible for different public occasions

The project seeks to introduce a new way of experiencing sports, integrating public functions, and historical references, in connection with nature. The stadium doubles as a social hub for the community, incorporating several attractive functions, including commercial areas, museum spaces, gyms, press and VIP areas, bars, and restaurants. A running track located on the top level offers users a place to train, walk and enjoy the views. The Tower of Light stands as a luminous landmark for the Milanese teams, aiming to strengthen the ‘One Stadium for Two’ model. Emitting red and blue lights — the colors of the two famous teams, the structure is recognizable from afar, while it changes color depending on the team on the pitch.

The tower comprises a museum of both football clubs and, at the apex of its spires, the statues of footballers and coaches who have built the greatness of Milanese football. Furthermore, the project features a memorial, always open to the public, narrating stories, legends, and memories about the entire last century of the Meazza Stadium.