Italy: Foster + Partners & Manica To Design New Milan Stadium

AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano, the two tradition-rich Italian soccer clubs, have announced that they have signed an agreement with the architectural firms Foster + Partners and Manica, led respectively by Lord Norman Foster and David Manica.

If the resolution for the sale of the Great Urban Function San Siro is approved by the Milan City Council, the two firms would be responsible for designing the new Milan stadium.

Both clubs had submitted a planning application to Milan’s municipality back in March. It outlined the proposal for the acquisition of Giuseppe Meazza Stadium and surrounding areas, along with a feasibility plan for constructing a state-of-the-art stadium. As usual with these large-scale projects, the plan is integrated into a broader urban regeneration project covering approximately 281,000 square meters, and focused on innovation and sustainability.

The new stadium, if approved, will have a capacity of 71,500 seats and feature two large tiers with an incline designed to ensure optimal visibility from every section. It will also meet the highest accessibility standards and offer “sections with affordable pricing,” according to a press release.

Foster + Partners is one of the world’s leading firms in sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering, and design. Founded by Lord Norman Foster in 1967, the practice has designed iconic projects such as Apple Park in Cupertino, the airports in Hong Kong and Beijing, the Millennium Bridge in London, as well as two flagship Apple stores in Rome and Milan.

Foster + Partners was responsible for the masterplan for the Wembley Stadium precinct, which has transformed the area into a successful mixed-use district with shops, restaurants, and thousands of new homes.

The firm was also appointed to design a 100,000-capacity stadium for Manchester, England, referred to by UK press as the “Wembley of the North”.

See: Plans For 100,000 Capacity Manchester United Stadium Unveiled

Manica, established by David Manica in 2007, has designed internationally acclaimed infrastructures such as Allegiant Stadium and Chase Center, home to the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden State Warriors.

Manica is also responsible for the design of the upcoming transformative stadium project that will host the Chicago Bears and the Miami Freedom Park, the future home of Inter Miami CF.

David Manica’s and Norman Foster’s working relationship dates back almost 30 years to the design of the New Wembley Stadium in London. They also jointly submitted the winning bid for Lusail Stadium built for the World Cup 2024 in Qatar.

Once the acquisition of Giuseppe Meazza Stadium and surrounding areas, known as the Great Urban Function San Siro, have been approved, activities, including the initial concept design and preliminary project phases, will commence.

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