Infrastructure

Pune Gets a New Cricket Stadium

UK architect Michael Hopkins is set to design the new cricket stadium outside Pune. The stadium is touted as an IPL friendly stadium and in terms of facilities will surpass the best in the world.

I wonder what the fascination is with foreign architects. Anyways, Michael Hopkins claim to fame is the design of the new facilities at Lords, the mecca of cricket.

Here is a blurb from Hopkins website

The sloping site enjoys superb panoramic views. Rebalancing levels results in a bowl of terraced seating for spectators centred on the Match Ground, creating a "place" around which development can grow. Four stands sit over this terrace accessed via a wide pedestrian concourse, the gaps between not only providing views to the horizon but airflow and daylight. Upper levels include further seating for spectators, a Members’ Pavilion, hospitality boxes, and facilities for broadcasting and press. Parking is provided on surrounding land.

With cricket played November-May, the sun is often low. Membrane roofs provide shade and, together with the elegantly braced structure of the steel and concrete stands in this seismic zone, create a memorable form for the Stadium.

This stadium bears importance to the IPL with the recent announcement that Pune is one of the new IPL franchises for 2011.

Lords architect has designs on IPLstadium for city

By: Chandran Iyer / Mid-Day

What is the common thread linking the new stadium to come up near the city for IPL matches with the Lords stadium of London and? The answer is an architect called Michael Hopkins.

The UK-based architect has designed the Lords and will now be responsible for the design of the stadium coming up in Gahunje along the Pune-Mumbai Expressway.

"Designed by one of the world’s leading architects, the MCA (Maharashtra Cricket Association) stadium will be one of the most modern and cricket-friendly venues in the world. The main work of designing the stadium  has been done by the firm Michael Hopkin Architects and Hopkin’s  assistant Ernest Phasania is likely to arrive in the city soon to oversee the project," said MCA president Ajay Shirke.

Shirke added, "We are developing a concept we call lounge cricket. Each lounge will have a private viewing gallery, two meeting rooms and a pantry."

Safety norms

An important aspect of the stadium will be its design keeping in mind fire safety and evacuation norms.

"The problem with stadiums in India is they don’t have proper entry space for fire engines. In case of a fire the response of the people is to rush on to the ground. But in most stadiums there is hardly any entry space for fire engines. This stadium is going to be different. It is designed for fire safety and evacuation norms based on the world standard Green Guide, with proper fire tending access and emergency escape routes," said Shirke.

Former chairman of selection committed and veteran cricketer Chandu Borde, commenting on the upcoming stadium, said "I think it will be the best stadium in the cricketing world. It will be equipped with all modern facilities and it will be the best option for IPL matches."

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