AC Milan to Expand Into a 48,000-Person Stadium Disguised as a Mall

AC Milan is looking to disrupt the standard perception of what we think a stadium should look like. Taking a decidedly discreet and low-key design approach, the soccer club commissioned architecture firm Arup (who also designed Beijing’s Bird Nest stadium) to create its new stadium due to open in Portello in 2018. While the 48,000-seat stadium itself is quite standard, it has been cleverly surrounded by a complex to host restaurants, a hotel, and a sports college, making it seem like a normal mall from street level. A 100-foot-height restriction was also imposed, with the stadium having to be lowered 30 feet into the ground to meet this requirement. Soundproofing technologies also ensure that noise pollution is kept to a minimum. However, the question remains whether the fan experience would be the same lacking the roar of the stadium emanating from within to welcome them to the game. Which do you prefer?