IRINA AKHMANOVA. WORK PROJECTS

LUZHNIKI STADIUM, MOSCOW

STADIUM BUILT FOR THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES IN 1980, NUMEROUS TIMES REBUILT TO FIND IT'S CURRENT SHAPE WITH A PERFECT 81,000 PAX SITTING BOWL TO HOST FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 IN RUSSIA
LUZHNIKI STADIUM
MODERN STADIUM IN THE CITY CENTRE OF MOSCOW, THE HEART OF THE UNIQUE SPORTS CLUSTER AND A WIDE RECREATION GREEN ZONE FOR THE ELITE ATHLETES AND COMMUNITY USE.


LOCATION: Luzhniki Street, 24, Khamovniki District, Moscow, Russia
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2017 (rebuilt for FIFA World Cup 2018)
CAPACITY: 81,000
OVERALL AREA: 221,000 sqm

DESIGN COMPANIES:
ARCHITECT: SPEECH
ENGINEERING: Metropolis
CONSULTANTS: Populous

Irina Akhmanova had fully participated in 4 reconstructions of this stadium, starting from 2011:
  1. The reconstruction of the Field Of Play for the World Rugby 2013;
  2. The reconstruction of the whole Track&Field, partially tribunes, and internal areas, for IIAF World Athletics 2013;
  3. Complete redevelopment of the stadium for FIFA-2018, with only historical facades preserved.
  4. The reconstruction in a legacy mode - together for all facilities in the Luzhniki sports cluster, which served FIFA-2018.

ROLE ON THE PROJECT:

  • Project Manager and Planning Team Lead.
  • SD and DD Phases, Tender Documentation, Construction works, Site supervision.
  • Management of cross-disciplinary teams.
  • Coordination with FIFA, State Authorities, sub-consultants, engineers and structural engineers
  • Communication with the Client, approving all architectural solutions.
  • Coordinating architectural solutions with the State budget.
  • Coordination of the architecture with the ID development.
MILESTONES:
1956
  • The stadium's foundation stone is laid on December 23rd.
1959-1960
  • Installation of seating, athletic tracks, and playing fields is completed.
July 31, 1959
  • The stadium is officially opened with a friendly football match between the Soviet Union and China.
1980
  • Major renovations are undertaken to prepare for the 1980 Summer Olympics, including the installation of a new track and field surface.
July 19, 1980
  • The stadium hosts the opening ceremony of the 1980 Summer Olympics.
1990-1996
  • Further renovations, including the replacement of the original roof with a new, more modern design.
1997-1999
  • Major reconstruction work, including the installation of new seating, improved lighting and sound systems, and modernized athletic facilities.
2001-2004
  • Additional renovations, including the construction of new VIP boxes and a press center.
2005-2013
  • Extensive reconstruction and modernization, including the installation of a new, translucent roof and improved spectator amenities.
2013-2017
  • Final preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the installation of new seating, improved accessibility features, and enhanced security measures.
November 11, 2017
  • The renovated stadium is officially reopened with a friendly football match between Russia and Argentina.
2018
  • Hosts several matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the final match on July 15th, Opening and Closing Ceremonies
luzhniki stadium ©Dmitry Chistoprudov
THE LUZHNIKI STADIUM, A HISTORIC AND ICONIC SPORTS VENUE IN MOSCOW, UNDERWENT A SIGNIFICANT RECONSTRUCTION FOR THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP. THE REBUILT STADIUM BOASTS A SLEEK, MODERN DESIGN WHILE MAINTAINING ITS ORIGINAL SOVIET-ERA CHARM. THE STADIUM'S FAÇADE FEATURES A DYNAMIC, CURVED SHAPE, WITH A GLEAMING WHITE AND SILVER EXTERIOR THAT SEEMS TO SHIFT DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE OF THE SUN.

THE STADIUM'S INTERIOR IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SPECTATOR COMFORT AND VISIBILITY, WITH A REDUCED DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SEATS AND THE PITCH. THE ARENA'S SEATING BOWL IS DIVIDED INTO TWO TIERS, WITH THE UPPER TIER FEATURING A UNIQUE, CANTILEVERED ROOF THAT PROVIDES COVER FOR ALL SPECTATORS WHILE MAINTAINING AN OPEN, AIRY FEEL.

THE LUZHNIKI STADIUM'S RECONSTRUCTION ALSO INCORPORATED CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING ADVANCED LIGHTING AND SOUND SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS STATE-OF-THE-ART PLAYER FACILITIES AND MEDIA AREAS. THE STADIUM'S SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE WAS ALSO REDESIGNED, FEATURING A SCENIC PEDESTRIAN ZONE ALONG THE MOSKVA RIVER.
Photo Credits:
© Dmitry Chistoprudov
© Ilya Ivanov