milan's new san siro stadium: competing proposals revealed

two shortlisted designs for a new 60,000-seat stadium in milan have been unveiled. as well as the construction of a brand new home for both AC milan and FC internazionale, the ambitious project would also see the redevelopment of the surrounding neighborhood. located on the historic san siro grounds, the district will be active 365 days a year, with priority given to safety, security, and sustainability. this mixed-use urban neighborhood will be dedicated to sports, entertainment, and shopping facilities.

the cathedral by populous

‘AC milan and FC internazionale have shared a stadium in san siro for more than 70 years,’ says paolo scaroni, chairman of AC milan. ‘the project’s strength is the two club’s commitment together for the new milano stadium. it means increased investments and a common goal to give the city a sports and entertainment district which is alive all year round thanks to events involving both teams and creating jobs for more than 3,500 people.’

the cathedral by populous

‘the project reflects the DNA, made of innovation and progress, which is historically embedded in our city, and the recent progress which has brought milan back to being an avant-garde, attractive and international city,’ adds alessandro antonello, corporate CEO of FC internazionale. ‘the multifunctional district will be built to the highest standards of eco-sustainability in order to allow the san siro district to once again re-establish itself as a destination of european and world excellence for sports and entertainment.’

the cathedral by populous

the two designs, by populous and manica/sportium, will now be scrutinized by fans, residents, and city authorities, with a survey set to be launched on the stadium’s official website. read more about both proposals below.

the cathedral by populous

according to its architect, populous, the ‘cathedral’ scheme will ‘elevate standards in fan experience, stadium atmosphere and community engagement — delivering a new icon for milano that is true to its people and honors its heritage.’ the design draws from two of milan’s most recognizable buildings: the duomo, the city’s landmark cathedral, and the galleria, the adjacent shopping arcade.

the cathedral by populous

populous claims that the bespoke seating bowl will be the most intimate in europe, bringing fans close to the action to create ‘an unforgettable atmosphere’. a sunlit galleria encircles the stadium enveloped by a glass façade. this democratic space offers a wide range of food and beverage outlets informed by the city’s food culture.

the cathedral by populous

‘the cathedral has been designed to create a unique home for the fans and supporters of AC milan and FC internazionale milano, with bespoke installations that dramatically change the appearance of the architecture and incorporate the clubs’ unique identities into the building fabric,’ explain the architects. ‘for inter milan, a coiled viper of blue light wraps itself around the stadium; while for AC milan, the vertical buttresses glow a smouldering red emanating from the depths of the building.’

the cathedral by populous

the stadium is designed to be one of the most sustainable in europe. naturally cooled and passively heated, its roof is topped with photovoltaic panels that generate electricity to be stored in battery banks for later use. furthermore, all rainwater is collected from the canopy and reused. the stadium is surrounded by 22 acres of green space, which reduce water runoff and counteract the ‘heat island’ effect. meanwhile, the entire district is connected to a central heating and cooling system.