EDDIE IZZARD

INTERVIEW
BY KATH HUDSON
DAVID
MANICA
The founder of Manica Architecture has come
up with a concept which could shape the way
major events build their venues in future.
Kath Hudson talks to him about his approach
Can you explain your SEED stadium
concept and how it works?
The concept is part of an evolution of
R+D ideas we’ve been focusing on in
relation to creating more successful legacy
conversions for major stadium events.
Most legacy conversions try and figure
out what to do with a stadium once it’s no
longer needed for a major event. The innovation
of the SEED concept is that it works
first toward the legacy solution as a starting
point, and then reverse engineers it.
So in summary, we design a development
concept that benefits the city, with low
income housing, hotels, conference facilities,
office and retail, parking, theatres,
parks, and even terraced urban gardens
– and then find a way to collect those
buildings together temporarily for use as a
stadium for a one-off event.
The concept is yet to be realised, but I
think it makes sense and will be implemented,
to some degree, in the near future.
What are the biggest trends in sport
and architecture at the moment?
Current trends include heightened
awareness of IT and technology, as well
as environmental sustainability. I’m also
seeing a larger variety of seating types and
offerings in each new building that opens.
I think sport architects are collectively
pushing the boundaries of the building
type further and further along. Each new
building which comes online is a clear
evolution of what came before it.
I’m pleased and proud to be part of a
small group of people in the world who are
changing the building type forever.
Manica’s projects include the new home of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, US
How does the design of a sports
building effect the fan experience?
A successful design can unlock the
greatest fan experience and the greatest
revenues: both of which are critical when
it comes to long term sustainability. The
guest experience is choreographed by the
architect as they are designing the building,
so fantastic and creative design is essential.
What are you working on right now?
We have multiple projects on-site around
the world. Our mixed-use sport park
– including a small arena, conference
facility, hotel, ballroom, natatorium, and
parking structure – is about to open just
north of Hong Kong in China.
Our VTB Arena project in central
Moscow – a singular facility which
individually houses both indoor hockey,
outdoor football and a retail shopping
mall – is under construction. And we’re
currently leading the design of the new
San Francisco multi-purpose arena, which
is due to open in 2018, as well as the new
Los Angeles NFL Stadium in Carson for
the Chargers and Raiders bid to move
there, which will open in 2019.
What have been your career
high and low points?
Winning big projects is always a thrill.
But seeing them realised and open is
what we do as architects. So some of the
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sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 4 2015 © Cybertrek 2015