The Architects Compete
Rules of the game were tough. Competing architects were asked to design a stadium large enough to seat Olympic crowds, yet capable of scaling down (without reconstruction) after the games were over. What's more, guidelines for the Sydney Olympic Stadium competition specified that the structure should be in keeping with "ecologically sustainable development." Somehow, the facility should accommodate a hundred thousand spectators without draining environmental resources. And finally, the stadium should look good. The structure should reflect the dignity and importance of the events which would take place there.The Critics Complain
Architects from around the world vied for the stadium construction prize. And, when the winner was announced, losers let out a yelp. Designed by the prominent Australian firm Bligh Voller Nied with the Lobb Partnership from London, the proposed Stadium Australia was oddly shaped. To some, the swooping, translucent roof looked like a saddle or a boomerang. Noted architect Philip Cox told reporters that it resembled a Pringles potato chip.In the world of sports architecture, Philip Cox is in the big leagues. His firm, Philip Cox Richardson Taylor, designed the Sydney Football Stadium, a roller-coaster like structure with curved forms and a sweeping steel roof. Cox and Company were also responsible for the semi-submerged Sydney Maritime Museum, which includes earthbound displays, underwater walkways and a series of ship-like structures with fabric roofs. Nevertheless, plans submitted by Philip Cox Richardson Taylor did not make the final cut in the Olympic Stadium competition.
Although the winning stadium may look strange to some viewers, there is method to the design. Next: Facts About Stadium Australia >>
