Stadium of the Year 2016

[ClaretTony]

Incredibly, West Ham's London Stadium has been voted stadium of the year by architectural experts. I can only think they've never been to a match there.

[Funkydrummer]

Should have gone to specsavers !

It may be architecturally good, but for football it's about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.

[bob-the-scutter]

Which year?

[Paul Waine]

Is that a vote for football stadium of the year or just any/all sports stadia? If the latter, I can understand why it would win in 2012.

If football stadium of the year, I assume it was limited to new football stadia first used in 2016. How many other new football stadiums are there in 2016?

Perhaps it's also limited to stadiums that are near to architects' offices in East London?

A few new stadia on the "drawing boards" in London at present: Spurs, Chelsea, Brentford and Wimbledon come to mind. Any other new ones planned around the country?

[Paul Waine]

From West Ham's website (7-March-2017):

London Stadium has been named Stadium of the Year in a prestigious competition voted for by a jury of five highly-respected architects recognised for their work in stadium design.

In the award hosted by leading industry design magazine Stadium DB, West Ham United’s home pipped the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul and Stadium FK Krasnodar in Russia to claim the top honour, selected from the best new stadia around the world to have opened in the past 12 months.
Other stadiums around the world nominated included the much-heralded Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, and the Allianz Stadion in Austria, home of Rapid Vienna.
 
Following the 2012 Olympic Games, the Stadium underwent a multi-million pound conversion to turn it into West Ham United's iconic new home, and that vision and innovation has now been praised by industry experts from across the globe.
In the voting, London Stadium was the only nominated venue to earn a maximum mark of 10 in two of the three qualifying criteria - visual impact, relation to surroundings and innovation.

In his summary, jury member Robert Mankin, who gave the London Stadium conversion 10 out of 10 in innovation, said: "Although the conversion has taken some time, this is an excellent case study for adaptation of an Olympic legacy facility. The final result feels fresh and new, and the integration into the surrounding park is quite well done.”

Read more at http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017 ... KYPXiMz.99" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dsr]

Creiteria - visual impact, relation to surroundings, innovation? That's the sort of thing that gives architects a bad name. How can you judge a stadium based on what it looks like, not based on how good it is for watching the game?

[Paul Waine]

Also on WHU's website: Karren Brady has been voted "most influential woman in football" by supporters.

It is International Women's' Day today.

Ms Brady did a lot of the negotiating for WHU stadium deal. So, perhaps we can link the two accolades?

[bob-the-scutter]

From West Ham's website (7-March-2017):

London Stadium has been named Stadium of the Year in a prestigious competition voted for by a jury of five highly-respected architects recognised for their work in stadium design.

In the award hosted by leading industry design magazine Stadium DB, West Ham United’s home pipped the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul and Stadium FK Krasnodar in Russia to claim the top honour, selected from the best new stadia around the world to have opened in the past 12 months.

Seeing as it actually opened in 2012!

[Paul Waine]

Criteria - visual impact, relation to surroundings, innovation? That's the sort of thing that gives architects a bad name. How can you judge a stadium based on what it looks like, not based on how good it is for watching the game?

I think it's a "little odd" that conversions can qualify for this award. Though, I guess, architects get a lot of their work from converting buildings from one purpose to another. (An empty, unused and slowly deteriorating Olympic stadium wouldn't be great - but maybe the secondary purpose should have been incorporated in the design in the first place).

Agree, it doesn't seem that "is it any good as a football pitch?" and "does it have enough loos for football fans?" are questions that the architects took into account in their judging.

[randomclaret2]

It was a clear winner in the " built by the taxpayer " category.

[mrhungryone]

I like southamptons ground personally.very atmospheric and thats what a football grounds architects should try to achieve when building a ground. The ethiaad and olympic stadiums dont have that.

[aggi]

It didn't get into the top 10 in the public vote.

[Spijed]

Karen Brady - I couldn't imagine a more dislikable person in football (apart from her two colleagues at West Ham).

[Loyalclaret]

Worst football ground I have visited this season by a mile. However received my tickets yesterday for the IAAF World Athletics Championships 2017 being held in August and looking forward to seeing it used for its purpose.

[ashtonlongsider]

I thought April 1st was 3 weeks off.

[NottsClaret]

Turf Moor is the best ground in the Prem, this year or any other year we're there.

[iluva64]

MIND THE GAP!!

and as an Architect I totally agree with them. LOL

[iluva64]

Forgot to post image

[mrhungryone]

Dortmund looks impressive full.....

[Loyalclaret]

Went to the London stadium on Friday and enjoyed the ground for its true purpose-athletics.

Anyone who went to the West Ham game would agree it was rubbish for football.

The atmosphere was good as it rippled around the stadium. Had a great view, fourth row up on the last hurdle on the home straight. Surrounded by the families of the competitors, which added to the drama of the different events. The commentary was great throughout.

Two gripes; the organisers/security near Westfield were well on top of the touts and we had two spare tickets- so couldn't shift them.

Normally you're part of a captive audience at a football ground for 1 1/2 hour, being in there for over 5 hours drink (alcohol) and food was a killer. Her indoors got cold and we got ripped off for merchandise as well!

Managed to visit the crate brewery at Hackney Wick after, good beer/pizza and music

[Bin Ont Turf]

Spine tingling was the noise when one of ours was doing well or coming home for a medal.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I didnt mind it at West Ham. Different from most new stadia obviously. Granted the view isnt great in some seats.

The thing I hated was time to get in and out! I walked from Stratford to Upton Park quicker than it took me to get to Stratford Centre from The Olympic Stadium.

At least its been used after its original purpose. Like Citys. People complain about tax payers money being used, but its better than letting it rot like some olympic / world cup / euros stadiums...

[Spijed]

I took some photo's on the infield recently and the grass looked a bit weird, Whether they use a different surface for athletics, I'm not sure.

[Pstotto]

I think a Talbot Horizon once won Car of The Year. (1979 I've just checked!)

[Hozz]

I was involved with a gig there in June, fantastic facilities, easy access for our trucks to load in and out, which is a rarity with many stadiums so can't fault it on that score. Not seen a game of footy there so cannot comment on that but seldom do these stadium designs lend themselves to good football venues unfortunately.

[Foshiznik]

Clearly going to be 2017's winner. Immense. Have a look at the videos of the roof.

[ClaretTony]

Went to the London stadium on Friday and enjoyed the ground for its true purpose-athletics.

Anyone who went to the West Ham game would agree it was rubbish for football.

The atmosphere was good as it rippled around the stadium. Had a great view, fourth row up on the last hurdle on the home straight. Surrounded by the families of the competitors, which added to the drama of the different events. The commentary was great throughout.

Two gripes; the organisers/security near Westfield were well on top of the touts and we had two spare tickets- so couldn't shift them.

Normally you're part of a captive audience at a football ground for 1 1/2 hour, being in there for over 5 hours drink (alcohol) and food was a killer. Her indoors got cold and we got ripped off for merchandise as well!

Managed to visit the crate brewery at Hackney Wick after, good beer/pizza and music

That sums it up perfectly in that it is an excellent athletics stadium but one totally ill equipped for football.