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News: Zaha Hadid Architects has been appointed to design a new stadium in Qatar that will host matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The studio will work with engineering and construction specialist AECOM to deliver the scheme in the city of Al Wakrah, which is 12 miles from Doha.

During the tournament the Al Wakrah stadium will seat 45,000 spectators, with the capacity reduced to 20,000 as part of the legacy plan.

Last year, sports architecture firm Populous scrapped plans to air condition a stadium it is designing for the tournament, saying these systems are too expensive and “notoriously unsustainable” when used in desert environments.

Zaha Hadid Architects has also been selected to design the new national stadium for Japan and was the firm behind the Aquatics Centre for the London 2012 Olympics, which recently had two temporary spectator stands removed from its sides.

The Aquatics Centre was criticised for providing some spectators with a restricted view, although the studio claimed that this was not their fault.

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Here is some more information from AECOM:

AECOM wins Al Wakrah 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium contract in Qatar
03-Jun-2013

AECOM announced today that it has been selected to provide design consultancy and construction supervision services for the Al Wakrah Stadium and Precinct for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has appointed AECOM, in association with Zaha Hadid Architects, as the design consultant for the project.

Al Wakrah will serve as a host city for a 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium and precinct, and is located approximately 12 miles south of Doha. It is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Qatar, with a rich cultural heritage evidenced by its traditional Islamic architecture, historical buildings, distinctive mosques and archaeological sites.

The stadium will have a tournament capacity of 45,000 spectators during the games and, by using modular best practice design, the number will be reduced to 20,000 spectators for the legacy program in Qatar. Another important element of the design project will be the integration of cooling-technology systems with climate-control requirements for renewable energy production.

“We are delighted to be involved with the 2022 FIFA World Cup program and to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee,” said AECOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John M. Dionisio. “This is an exciting time for Qatar, and our global team of forward-thinking sports experts is well equipped to meet the challenges that a project of this caliber demands.”

The vision set by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee is one that embraces the cultural heritage of the host city and the adjacent historical Qatari settlement of Al Wukair. Incorporating this identity will be a crucial part of the stadium design and enhancing the fan experience.

Work on the project is set to begin immediately.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural, and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in more than 140 countries and had revenue of $8.2 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2013. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com.

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