The first images of Herzog & de Meuron’sredesign of the proposed new 36,000-seat stadium for PortsmouthFootball Club have been revealed.The club’s new waterfronthome, by developer Sellar Properties, is planned for a site south ofthe city overlooking the harbour, naval dockyards and the Solent andwill form the centrepiece of an "urban park".It replaces anearlier design by the Swiss firm which was sidelined after the RoyalNavy raised security concerns over its location alongside a naval base.Aspokesman for the architect said the stadium will become a visual iconat the gateway to the city, creating a new identity for both Portsmouthand the football club. He added: "The stadium will be a pavilion in thenew urban park, the new pitch a clearing in the trees. "Aslender tree-like structure is used to support floating pavilionssurrounding the bowl with veil-like transparency, with a simple drapeof structure supporting a lightweight roof. The space underneath thebowl functions like a grand foyer, still exterior, but sheltered fromthe elements."Thenew plans include a stand-alone 10,000 seat exhibition arena and a newnaval diving and training facility with the stadium itself facing along line of low-carbon waterside residential developments.
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