United Stadium

The Chiangrai United Football Club (CRUTD) has extended their investment to create a new landmark to coincide with the planned extension of the 10-year-old United Stadium. The Orange Knights are currently in the design process of their current stadium as part of preparations to compete in football at an international level.

INSPIRED BY PASSION AND SPIRIT
The design inspiration comes from the club’s longstanding mascot, “the beetle”. The metaphor of the beetle’s metamorphosis extends beyond the life of the insect itself, to the passion and fighting spirit of the team.

The design concept of the new stadium aims to bring football in Asia beyond the traditional group of sports fans to the wider public in general. Elevated landscapes are created as links to an amphitheatre, museums and retail stores that are embraced by the atmospheric park portrayed by the nest, which is the main concept of home for the insect. Traditional ticket offices are located at the rear to make way for new traffic moving through the retail spaces, creating a new experience as visitors approach the grounds.

The façade and extended roof have also been overhauled. The architect developed the idea of bringing elements of beetles—such as fangs and feet—into the structural forms of the roof. Dimmed LED lights also attract viewers’ eyes.

The landscape design captures the spirit of the local heritage in a modern sculpted form that will respond in contrast to the local townscape and to the locale’s traditional views and light. The plaza, amphitheatre and all walkways are embraced by the 20-metre elevated park, making it possible for visitors to use the space in different dimensions, vertically and horizontally.