Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) will be designing a new stadium in the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk. The project, which is authorized by the local municipality of Sermersooq, is part of large-scale plan to create a new Cultural and Commercial Complex in the city.

courtesy of BIG

BIG’s design for the stadium reveals a massive snow-covered roof, with a curved organic form that resembles a snowdrift, sheltering the entire 34,600sqm stadium. It touches the floor at its the four corners, with transparent glass panels filling the gaps on its four sides. The inside of the roof features a wooden lattice which contrasts with its smooth white exterior. The stadium’s dome-like form will be a landmark for the Nuuk harbor, and its transparent envelope will provide visitors with pleasant views of the surroundings, which include the national gallery of art and the waterfront.

courtesy of BIG

Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative partner of BIG, has revealed in a press conference that he was influenced by the Katuaq culture house and the Malik swimming hall in Greenland which are, both, inspired by the region’s natural phenomena like the northern lights, waterfalls, icebergs, and the ocean waves. He has thoroughly studied the city’s landscape and natural context in order to create a design that fits in well enough. He is hopeful that the new stadium will be of value to Greenland, just like the Sydney Opera House to Australia. He said: “This location is very similar to the one we know from the Sydney Opera House, where Jørn Utzon not only put the city on the map but all of Australia.”

courtesy of BIG

courtesy of BIG

courtesy of BIG

courtesy of BIG

courtesy of BIG

courtesy of BIG

courtesy of BIG