Rédaction Africa Links 24 with ALM
Published on 2024-03-22 10:00:13
The project will draw inspiration from the theme of the Moussem, the tent, and the garden, according to Tarik Oualalou, the lead architect of the project.
World 2030: The designers of the future Grand Stade de Casablanca have just revealed new details about this grand project as the first works have already started on the site in the province of Benslimane. Morocco and Casablanca will be equipped with the largest football stadium in the world. This is the result of the latest communication from Populous and Oualalou + Choi who have just won the global competition for the architectural design of the Grand Stade de Casablanca. In detail, a consortium led by architects Oualalou + Choi and Populous has won the contract for the design of the Grand Stade de Casablanca, with a capacity of 115,000 seats, in Morocco, which is set to become the largest football stadium in the world.
“The stadium will be fully compliant with FIFA competitions, with the possibility of hosting FIFA World Cup matches in 2030, following the designation of Morocco as joint host of the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal. It will also serve as the home for two local clubs. Wydad and Raja de Casablanca are expected to make this new stadium their home to host their future opponents in all football competitions,” explains the firm.
“The winning project from Oualalou + Choi and Populous draws inspiration from the traditional social gatherings of Morocco known as ‘moussem,’ with the stadium structure located under a large tent roof that emerges in the forest landscape. Engineering companies Maffeis Engineering, ME Engineering, Rider Levett Bucknall, Momentum, and SEPSI complete the design team,” the same source specifies.
“We are very proud to have been chosen for this prestigious project, along with our partners Oualalou + Choi. The Grand Stade de Casablanca is an iconic location for Casablanca and Morocco and will become one of the largest stadiums in the world,” affirms Christopher Lee, Managing Director of Populous for the EMEA region. Meanwhile, Tarik Oualalou, design director, founding partner at Oualalou + Choi and lead architect of the project, explains: “The Grand Stade de Casablanca is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture, with its traditions and contemporary expressions. It is rooted in ancient and primordial figures: the Moussem, the tent, and the garden, as well as in the topography and landscapes of Morocco. It is a generous space, open to the world and respectful of the nature it protects. The Grand Stade de Casablanca embodies the great tradition of Moroccan hospitality.”
François Clément, President of Populous France and also chief architect of the project, adds: “The Grand Stade de Casablanca is a cornerstone of King Mohammed VI’s vision to develop football infrastructure in Morocco. The stadium will meet FIFA standards, allowing it to host major matches in the world’s most prestigious international competitions, including the 2030 World Cup.”
The pace of construction expected in Benslimane demonstrates the commitment of all parties involved to realize this incredible project within the deadlines and budget constraints. It will be a huge asset for the country, elevating Morocco to the highest global platform for sports infrastructure development.
Read the original article(French) on Aujourdhui.ma
