Ecologically Friendly Sports Stadiums around the World

With today's pressing demand for more environment-friendly policies, ecological sustainability has become one of the top priorities in the field of architecture. Aside from buildings and homes, sports stadiums have begun to join the green bandwagon. The revolutionary designs of the following sports stadiums have proved that innovation, aesthetics, and green technology can go hand in hand perfectly.

One of the most beautiful and state-of-the-art sports arenas in the world is the World Games Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. When viewed from above, it looks like a dragon snaking around a green football field. The 14,155-square-meter roof is wholly composed of gigantic solar panels which generate a total of 1.4 gigawatt hour of electricity per year. If the facility is not in use, it can provide power to 80 percent of the neighbourhood around it.

The Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas is also a fine example of the fusion of green technology and architecture. It is designed to reduce energy use by 20 percent, solid waste by 25 percent, and water consumption by 1 million gallons per year. The facility also uses native trees and plants for decorations, utilises recycled plastic in the seats and the playing field and powers itself by recycled energy.

The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia is another sporting facility that features the use of advanced green technology. Its architecture incorporates a unique cantilever design which uses 50 percent less steel than a classic cantilevered roof structure. In addition, its roof is covered with a thin photovoltaic film that helps power the facility's LED lights. Large transparent panels that cover its walls allow plenty of natural lighting and ventilation. The stadium also has a harvesting system to collect and recycle rainwater.