The Joaquim Américo Guimarães Stadium is considered one of the most modern stadiums in the country, undergoing its last renovation in 1999 that resulted in a built area of 55.797m2 in a horseshoe form with a capacity for 24,510 seats. Having adequate levels of comfort and safety, plus the opportunity to complete the ring with a new building, made it possible to comply with the requirements for capacity, visibility, comfort and safety according to the FIFA Technical Specifications
.
With the latest renovation and expansion of the stadium completed in 2014, the Joaquim Américo Guimarães Stadium now consists of 126.836m2 with a capacity for 42,417 seats. Its programmatic operation – of extreme complexity and with highest technologies according to international standards – meets the needs of various types of massive contemporary events.
The architectural solution adopted was to create an icon for the city: a 'Illuminating Box ’. The idea was to build an enclosure that formally unified the complex and allowed for a binding image of the interior event with the neighborhood and the city. This outer skin was conceived as part of a component system of easy assembly, fast construction, and low cost. The materials used were standardized and preferably locally manufactured.
The quest for material permeability between inside and outside, which through its lightness, translucency and lighting, produces a constant and active interaction with its surroundings.
Among the various complexities faced in design process, three major assumptions guided the process in order to leave a legacy of high value for the population of the city of Curitiba:
• Multievent Arena
The capital of Paraná State, Curitiba, has a population of 4,000,000 inhabitants and offers an upscale cultural scene.
However, the city still lacks a Multievent Arena to meet some of its contemporary needs. This Cultural and Sports Complex thus becomes the most important one in South America, composed of the Stadium, an Indoor Arena with a capacity of 10,000 seats, and an exterior public outdoor space. This combination comprises an infrastructure capable of hosting multiple events of diverse characteristics: sporting, cultural, religious, political, entertainment, business, etc.
• Urban Integration
Despite the central location of the stadium, within a dense urban fabric, the old building had an inappropriate relationship with the urban context. Firstly, the corresponding level of the Plaza Afonso Botelho was transformed into in a large Commercial Urban Plaza that unifies the space, integrating the new complex to the city. This intervention made it possible to build up real material and symbolic ties with the surroundings. Secondly, a 300-meter long by 17 meters wide terrace was designed on the longitudinal axis to allow proper access to the entire complex.
• Sustainability
The complex was designed utilizing various passive design strategies in order to achieve maximum comfort regarding thermal, acoustical, and lighting levels. In addition, the stadium features a rainwater harvesting system that reuses 100% of all rain and grey waters, which are stored for later use in the old moat that surrounds the soccer field.
The complex was constructed utilizing building methods and tools such as: mass production of modular elements to minimize energy costs in the manufacturing process, transportation and assembly work on site, sun protection and natural ventilation systems to reduce the thermal load of the interior spaces, and polycarbonate panels on the roof to reduce heating of the building through shading.
Moreover, the project has complied with the environmental sustainability regulations established by LEED in the LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations
and is currently in the process of accreditation.
Project information
Owner: Clube Atlético Paranaense Arena
Location: Curitiba, Brazil
Project date: 2007-2014
Site area: 60,429 m2
Built area: 124,966 m2
Total capacity: 42,500 seats (General Public 40,300, VIP 2,200)
Parking: 1,250 spots
Built Management and Coordination: CAP S/A Arena dos Paranaenses
Architectural Project / Interiors / Landscape; carlosarcosarquite(c)tura
Coordination with Project Consultants: carlosarcosarquite(c)tura
Project Inspection: carlosarcosarquite(c)tura
Technical Coordination with FIFA: carlosarcosarquite(c)tura
Construction Supervisor and Direction: Engineer Architect Luiz Volpato (Clube Atlético Paranaense)
Construction planning: MCA Auditoria e Gerenciamento
Concrete structure: Fhecor do Brasil
Foundations: Baras Engenharia Geotécnica e Fundações / Emepê Fundações
Steel Structure: Andrade Rezende Engenharia de Projetos
Electrical Systems: CAP S/A Arena dos Paranaenses (Engineer Rodrigo Silva Maia)
Hydraulics and Fire Prevention: Barsch Engenheiros Associados
HVAC: Michelena Climatização
Information Technology: Jugend Engenharia de Automação
Technical lighting: Philips / Ledmax
Environment Consulting: Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação da Natureza Ideia Ambiental
LEED Certification: Petinelli Business Consulting
Visual Communication: carlosarcosarquite(c)tura / Foggiatto Visual Communication
Multitud Flow Study: Modelle – Logistics and Engineering
LIST OF SUPPLIERS
Steel structure: Brafer / SGE / TECMETAL / PERFIL
Retractable roof automation: Lanik
Elevators: ThyssenKrupp
Polycarbonate: Day Brazil / Sabic / Engepoli
Flooring: Tecnogran
Chairs: Kango
Painting: Renner / PPG
Light Fixtures: Philips / Ledmax
LED screens: Panasonic
Ceramic walls: Portobello
Metal fittings: Hansgrohe / Docol
Bathroom Fixtures: Deca
IT: NEC
Electrical system: Proelt
Hydraulics: Hidroved
Aluminum frames: : Rissi Fachadas e Esquadrias
Glass: Vidrolar
Walls and bathroom partitions: Div Company