The brief demanded the impossible: a 40,000-seat stadium where spectators feel comfortable at 26°C while the external temperature hits 45°C—without relying on mechanical cooling.
We approached this as a form-finding problem. Rather than designing a shape and then engineering the HVAC, we let Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) sculpt the building envelope. The result is an aerodynamic bowl that accelerates wind at its apex, creating a Venturi effect that draws hot air upward through a 28m oculus. Cooler air enters at grade through shaded peripheral arcades.
The building footprint and pavilion positioning emerged from our Emergent Complexes methodology—2,400 agent simulations negotiated optimal placement for sight lines, pedestrian flow, and service access.
Achieve a 19°C temperature differential between exterior and spectator bowl using passive strategies only. Zero mechanical cooling within the seating bowl; active systems permitted only in VIP lounges and press areas.
Research-Driven Design
CFD-Driven Envelope
218 wind tunnel simulations in Butterfly (OpenFOAM wrapper) tested roof curvatures, oculus diameters (22m–32m range), and peripheral opening configurations. Final geometry achieved 4.2 m/s average air velocity across the bowl—sufficient for perceived cooling.
Agent-Based Massing
Applying our Emergent Complexes research, 2,400 building-agents negotiated positions for the main bowl, 6 service pavilions, and 4 pedestrian plazas. The Physarum algorithm generated the primary circulation routes between metro stations and entry gates.
Crowd Egress Modeling
PedSim validated that all 40,000 spectators can exit within 15 minutes post-match. We tested 12 emergency scenarios; choke points at Gates 3 and 7 were resolved by widening from 8m to 12m.
Moment-Optimized Structure
The roof truss depth varies between 1.8m and 4.2m, following the structural moment diagram. Steel tonnage reduced from 8,200t (uniform depth) to 6,560t (optimized)—a 20% material saving without compromising safety factors.
Performance Metrics
Stadium exterior with Venturi roof 
Interior bowl with natural ventilation 
Roof structure analysis From Research to Product
- Fraktal
- Environmental Simulation: Transsolar (consultant)
Qatar Sports Authority
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