MAA GROUP Consulting Engineering

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN

TAIWAN NATIONAL STADIUM

MARKETS :
Arts, Sports & Culture Facilities

SERVICES :
Project & Construction Management

SCOPE OF WORK :
Project management
Tender management

The largest and most complex sport event held in Taiwan

In June 2004 the International World Games Association awarded Kaohsiung, the second largest city in Taiwan the right to host the 2009 World Games. It was the first and largest international comprehensive sports event in Taiwan and the first time the World Games were hosted in the Chinese world. Among the many venues to be provided for the Games, the main stadium, used for the opening and closing ceremonies was the most important one. Kaohsiung Municipal Government (KMG) authorized by the National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, was responsible for the planning and construction of the main stadium and selected MAA as the project manager in charge of the architectural program, conceptual design, tender documents and handling tender process for design-and-build contract.

Sustainable stadium

After a detailed study and comprehensive consultation, the main stadium program was defined as a roofed competition venue having a standard 400 m track and football field with 40,000 permanent seats and spare space for an additional 15,000 temporary seats for very large events. International tender for the design-and-build contract was announced in August 2005 and was awarded to world renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito in early December 2005. The unique architecture stadium has an open top spiral structure with curved bracing and buttresses reflecting the dynamics of a flowing river. In addition to meeting the functions and facilities requirements required by international sports competition events, the main stadium, made from 100% reusable local materials, also fulfilled the latest criteria of Taiwan Green Building certification’s energy savings, forestation, and water conservation standards. Specifically, in order to save lighting power, the rooftop was equipped with a first of its kind photovoltaic system consisting of 8800 solar panels generating one million kWh annually and able to generate 70% of the stadium’s power during the Games. Construction was completed in January 2009 in preparation for the 2009 World Games, successfully opened in July 2009.

The site of the main stadium is part of the National Sports Park, which will accommodate the National Athletes Training Center, the Kaohsiung Branch of the National Athletes University and a recreational park for local residents. MAA is also in charge of the Park masterplan.