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Irish Rugby Football Union and the Irish Government
Aviva stadium
Location
Ireland
Key Statistics
- Client
- Irish Rugby Football Union and the Irish Government
- PM Group Office
- Ireland
- Cost
- €410m
- Size
- 66,460m2 of area and can accommodate 50,000 spectators
Previously known as Lansdowne Road Stadium, Aviva Stadium is built on the historic site, surrounded by residences, on Lansdowne Road in Dublin’s suburbs. It replaced the world’s oldest international rugby stadium, built in 1872. The Aviva Stadium is designed in harmony to the local environment and community of its surroundings. Demolition of the old stadium was started in June 2007.
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Drawing on the environment and community
PM Group's scope for the project was Project Management & Construction Management. Construction began in April 2007 and completed in April 2010. The stadium was officially inaugurated in May 2010. The stadium has 66,460m2 of area and can accommodate 50,000 spectators. It has been certified as a BS8901 venue.
The unique free flowing bowl shape of Aviva was concluded after studying different geometries. The façade of the stadium is clad in polycarbonate louvres and glass. The transparency of the façade gives maximum sunlight to the interiors and the pitch while absorbing UV radiations.
50,000
spectators can be accommodated
20,000L
of water saved a day during events through sustainable solutions
6
Levels of Seating area
The challenge
The redevelopment posed many challenges such as the restricted site, the Dublin-Wexford railway line passing through the stadium, an established residential community and Dodder river in the east. The materials, form and mass of the stadium were determined based on the site location and surroundings.
The sloping roof in the north and south and transparent façade avoid blockage of sunlight on the adjacent residences and the Lansdowne Road.
Sustainability delivered
Aviva Stadium stands among the top sustainable and site-responsive stadiums in the world. It received the Emirates Glass LEAF Award in 2011. It has won several awards including the British Construction Industry Awards’ Best International project in October 2011.
Top soil of the old pitch was stored during construction and reused on the new pitch. The exposed pre-cast and in-site structures used low carbon concrete. Timber was procured from sustainable resources. Plastic used for the façade is fully recyclable. The rain water is stored in 250,000l tanks and used for pitch irrigation. Energy efficient building management systems, low energy light fittings, Integrated Building Analysis Software Systems and heat recovery generators save substantial amounts of energy. Sensor taps and environment friendly wash room fixtures save about 20,000l of water a day during events.