Azata Stadium is proposed on the site of a neglected Soviet-era football ground between the Hrazdan River and Yerevan Lake, transforming a fragmented territory into a new civic landscape for Yerevan. Rooted in the cultural memory of its surroundings, the project embodies decoding philosophy, translating Armenian symbols, traditions and landscape into the language of contemporary architecture.
More than a stadium, Azata is conceived as a bridge betwen Armenia’s rich past and its future - a contemporary landmark shaped by a deep respect for the culture and history of the place. Nearby, the archaeological complex of Shengavit traces human settlement in the region back to the fourth millennium BCE. Today, however, the site is disconnected from much of the city's everyday life. Azata Stadium proposes to change that condition.
Designed as a 15,000-seat multifunctional arena to UEFA standards, the project is conceived as a new piece of civic infrastructure, where football forms its primary programme, but concerts, cultural events, and other large-scale gatherings are accommodated within the same structure. Around it, a new public park extends the life of the project beyond the event calendar, introducing pedestrian routes, sports facilities, open-air amphitheatres and landscaped terraces.
Decoding Armenian culture into architecture
The project is grounded in a decoding principle: through which Armenian cultural motifs are decoded into the fundamental language of architecture, rooting the project into the history and relevant cultural context. Three Armenian archetypes provide the source material for this. Each is first understood through its underlying meaning and spatial character, then abstracted and translated into a specific architectural operation. The Arevakhach, an ancient solar symbol associated with eternity, becomes the generative geometry of the spiralling park. Kochari, the traditional circular dance, is decoded through its collective movement and rhythm, informing the circulation system and the flowing expression of the façade. The inclined roof translates the symbolic importance of Mount Ararat into an architectural gesture, orienting the stadium towards the mountain and establishing a visual connection with the wider Armenian landscape. The result is a contemporary architectural language rooted in Armenian culture and becoming a bridge between Armenia's past and future.
A stadium that begins with the landscape
Rather than surrounding the arena with leftover space, the project treats the landscape as an active part of the architectural system. The spiral park establishes multiple approaches to the stadium, with entrances and terraces distributed around the site. This makes the building permeable from different directions and allows the former sports ground to become a connective territory between different city districts. The public realm is intended to remain active even when there is no match taking place. Walking and sports routes pass through the site, while basketball and open-air gathering spaces create reasons to visit throughout the day. In this sense, the stadium is conceived less as a destination that periodically opens its doors and more as a year-round public landscape.
A quieter envelope, a more animated interior
The architectural expression reinforces the distinction between the collective energy of the arena and its relationship to the surrounding city. Inside, the stadium bowl is conceived as bright and dynamic, with movement concentrated around the pitch and spectator stands. Outside, the envelope takes on a more restrained character, creating a protective layer around the activity within. Curved perforated panels form a flowing façade, translating the rhythm and movement associated with Kochari into a contemporary surface. During the day, the perforations filter daylight and partially reveal the activity behind them.
Environmental performance as part of the architecture
Solar panels are proposed to contribute to on-site energy generation, while rainwater harvesting provides water for irrigation and other non-potable uses across the stadium and park. The building's form and orientation are designed to encourage natural air movement, reducing dependence on mechanical systems. The landscape strategy reduces the movement of materials by reusing excavated soil directly on site. Soil excavated to create the stadium is proposed for reuse across the site, forming terraces, slopes and retaining structures. Locally sourced materials are prioritised where possible, with an emphasis on durability and materials capable of ageing naturally within the Armenian context.
More than a venue, it becomes a cultural bridge and a civic landmark - where deep respect for heritage becomes the foundation for a contemporary vision of what comes next.
The project has been selected as a finalist at WAF 2025 and the WAN Awards 2026 and shortlisted at the IDPA Japan Design Awards 2026 and THE PLAN Awards 2026
