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The key elements of the proposal submitted by the Inter and Milan soccer clubs to the local government are the construction of a new stadium as well as a multifaceted district with a vocation for sport that’s also modern and innovative, with plenty to offer all year round. The proposal also involves a reduction of the built area and twice the amount of green spaces, aimed at improving the livability of the entire neighborhood. The proposal also included a feasibility study for the construction of a multifunctional complex in the San Siro district (the location of the current Meazza stadium) that’s now open for public comment. After a long process that began in 2021 (even earlier if you include initial project proposals that were later abandoned), the first public meeting was held on September 28, 2022, at Palazzo Marino. There will be another twelve public meetings to follow (including in-person and online, in-depth meetings, onsite inspections, and workshops), concluding on November 18. The sessions are mainly aimed at illustrating to participants – community members in particular – the rationale behind the proposal, and its pros and cons compared to more conservative alternatives. According to the dossier, the current stadium, named after soccer legend Giovanni Meazza, is “a superimposition of at least three structures built in different eras, the first of which will be a century old in four years.” The section in question was built privately in 1926 in a district that was already sports oriented. It was to have an enormous impact on the area, as can be seen today.
The most likely scenario at present is that the existing facility will be demolished and a new one built, since it’s believed that any attempt to modify the stadium wouldn’t satisfy the technical, environmental, and sustainability requirements submitted by the teams. As outlined in the dossier summary, there are at least eight critical factors that would need to be resolved by any renovation project, ranging from maintenance and management costs to the internal microclimate, noise pollution, and safety. The work involved would make the current structure unrecognizable. “Work to modify the existing structure,” the document reads, “would not solve its main structural deficiencies and would not guarantee that the needs of the public and clubs are met.”
The proposal put forward, and now open for public comment, involves the modification and improvement of the current perception of the site through, “the rebuilding of the stadium; the introduction of complementary and efficient modern functions; and the redefinition of the role of nature as a characterizing element of the entire area,” the dossier continues. As regards the stadium itself, a structure with a seating capacity of 60 thousand is envisaged, comprising the soccer field along with a series of functions within the perimeter of the building itself as well as in the base of the structure. The base itself should root the building in its setting and mark the location of the covered entrances to the fans and the transition to the surrounding green areas, while conveying a feeling of monumentality and grandeur. Organized in two tiers, the seating has been designed to help fans actively experience the game from as close as possible to the pitch. The frame of the primary structure should create a series of entrance gates, framing the first tier and guiding fans inside the building via elevators and escalators. A glazed curtain wall, made up of panels arranged in a rational grid, would define the rectangular perimeter of the building while surrounding fans in a transparent veil and allowing a constant visual connection between the interior and exterior of the facility.
Finally, the roof, made of rigid roofing panels, would follow the structural logic of the building frame. The shape is an intertwining of historical and contemporary elements, with Milan’s cathedral the main source of inspiration.
Compared to the proposal made by the clubs in 2020 (which was a revised version of their 2019 proposal), the latest, which reflects the current territorial governance plan, involves smaller building volumes, and twice as many green areas, covering an area of 245 acres (103,000 m2) with 700 trees.
Apparently there are no plans to save Tower 11, as there had been previously. “This design,” the report reads, “significantly reduces the impact of the previous proposal on this urban landmark, ensuring an appropriate balance between new and existing buildings.”
The new “Cathedral,” as the stadium was renamed when Populous submitted its project in 2021, should be ready to host its first matches in the 2027–28 season. The available renderings point towards a goodbye to the squared shape in favor of one with softer, more traditional lines. But this could change further with the final working drawings.
During the second public meeting on October 3, Silvia Prandelli from Populous touched on these aspects, and, specifically, on the functional requirements of the stadium as outlined in the new dossier. She also mentioned aspects such as faster, more efficient stadium access, and the advantages for the fans and local people.
According to Inter CEO Alessandro Antonello, the key to the new project is its interpretation of collective memory through architecture. This will be incorporated into the field. Hence the importance of keeping the facility in San Siro. Regarding how to retain the memory of the original structure, however, Antonello believes that the final word is yet to be said.
Besides being informative, the public meetings are intended for discussion, clarification, and submitting further proposals. Once completed, a summary will be presented by the coordinator, Andrea Pillon, and a final (non-binding) report will be sent to the National Commission for Public Debate and to the proposers to evaluate the information collected at the meetings.
Social, economic, and environmental sustainability will be the themes of the next meetings, scheduled for October 12, 13, 17, 19, and 27. On October 17, there will be an open inspection of the stadium and neighboring areas in two groups, while on October 30, there will be a whole-day neighborhood workshop for children.
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Location: Milano, Italy
Architects: Populous
Images courtesy of dpstadiomilano
