[fibre C] SPECIFIED FOR SOCCER CITY, FIFA WORLD CUP STADIUM : Now with new video!
[fibre C], the innovative glass reinforced concrete cladding panel, has been specified for what is currently the largest and most spectacular construction site in the world - the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
The new icon of the FIFA World Cup 2010, the stadium will host both the opening and the final matches. Designed by the South African architects of Boogertman Urban Edge & Partner, the stadium reflects a calabash, or African pot. This design was selected as being the most recognisable object to represent what would automatically be associated with the African continent and not any other. For such a prestigious scheme, the choice of materials was essential and [fibre C] was picked as the ideal material to create the 'pot' in a range of typical African colours.
The cladding is being delivered by [fibre C] manufacturer Rieder Smart Elements in cooperation with Valenta Metallbau. [fibre C] is exclusively distributed in the UK by Cladding Solutions Limited (CSL).
Soccer City is located in the heart of Johannesburg, the emotional centre of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Rieder and Valenta are constructing the façade, which will be the focus for billions of TV viewers later this year. Once completed, Soccer City will be the biggest stadium in Africa, providing seating for almost 95,000 spectators.
Rieder Smart Elements has produced 30,000 square meters of [fibre C] for the façade of the stadium and Valenta Metallbau has developed more than 100,000 specially designed steel elements for the sub-construction. The outer skin of the arena spans 43,000 square meters in total.
A spectacular envelope for a unique world cup stadium, the impressive outer shell is divided in a roof section consisting of transparent polycarbonate elements and the façade section which uses [fibre C]. The 1.2 x 1.8 metre [fibre C] panels are being produced in Germany before being assembled on site in South Africa to create 2,100 prefabricated modules for efficient on site erection.
Although [fibre C] is only 13 mm thick it has been ingeniously designed to resist all weather conditions. Furthermore the product conforms to demanding levels of fire protection and durability. Apart from its technical and aesthetical solution, the façade stands up to international competitors due to its ecological advantage. Through its excellent eco-profile, the energy consumption of [fibre C] is significantly lower compared to alternative façade products - the production of [fibre C] has 40% less global warming potential than fibre cement panels or aluminium sheets and uses five times less energy that HPL (high pressure laminates).
The delivery of the stadium has employed more than 3,000 operatives, making is currently the world's largest construction site, with work due for completion in the spring of 2010.
