In preparation for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has hired architect Zaha Hadid to design a sprawling new soccer stadium. Hadid's studio will partner with AECOM to construct the stadium in Al Wakrah outside of Doha. Details of the design are still a bit fuzzy, but according to AECOM, the new stadium will integrate energy-efficient design strategies to cool spectators in the desert climate. The historic area of Al Wakrah is known for its rich cultural heritage, including archeological sites, Islamic architecture and historic buildings. The city sought a design that would not disrupt the legacy of the area. The stadium campus will seat 45 thousand soccer fans during games, but it can be reduced to 20 thousand using modular pieces that will repurpose seating areas for other uses. The stadium campus will infuse green space into the desert domain, creating lush forested areas for the community to enjoy. The forested perimeter will also help cool the area while producing fresh oxygen and helping to filter the air. However, it is worth noting that there are no details on what types of plants will be used, and what level of irrigation will be required in what remains a desert environment. The stadium itself will feature a perforated double skin, which is expected to filter in light and encourage cross breezes. Construction is set to begin this year. 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.

British football club Tottenham Hotspur has released plans for a new stadium designed by Populous. Planned to be built in the London borough of Haringey, the "visually dramatic" 61,000-seat proposal is designed to host both English and American football. If approved, it will feature a state-of-the-art retractable pitch and a 17,000 capacity single tier end stand that will be the UK's largest. The state-of-the-art stadium, due to open in the summer of 2018, will feature a retractable grass field with an artificial surface underneath that would be used for NFL games. This field will be multi-use and capable of hosting other sporting, entertainment and community events. Both sports will have dedicated facilities ensuring that the new stadium, designed with a focus on atmosphere, will deliver the optimum experience for both teams and fans. It will be one of the most environmentally sustainable in the UK and also include a clear focus on accessibility via public transportation. Beyond the field, the new stadium will feature a permanent visitor's center and arrivals hub with an interactive museum to celebrate club history and local heritage, a cinema, the club megastore, ticket office and cafe. At the top of the stadium will be a 40 meters high "Sky Walk" showcasing vistas of London. The stadium is part of the Northumberland Development Project, which will include a new community health center, 180-room hotel and four new residential buildings with 579 apartments designed by Allies and Morrison. New four residential buildings from 16 to 32 stories will offer a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, including affordable housing. The new development will provide 275 parking spaces for cars and 900 spaces for bicycles. There also will be a 25 thousand square meters of employment space.

Work on the US$ 1.37 billion "Doha Festival City" project in Qatar is due to start in the next few days, reported Arabian Business. The project is one of the first mega projects to get underway as a result of Qatar's successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022 tournament. Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, managing director of Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), the project architects on the Doha Festival City project, said it had seen a big surge in opportunities as a result of Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The project is located 15 kilometers north of downtown Doha on Al Shamal Road, one of the main arterial routes to the city centre and connecting Doha with Bahrain. The 434 thousand square meter entertainment, retail, hospitality and commercial facility project is being developed by Dubai's "Al-Futtaim Group", which has also developed the Festival City construction brand in the UAE and Egypt. Due to be completed in 2014, some of the main retail tenants already announced include the Swedish furnishing giant "IKEA", Toys "R" Us, "Marks & Spencer" and "Inter sport".