Heatherwick Studio, in collaboration with US-based Manica Architecture, has unveiled the design for a new stadium for Birmingham City Football Club. Named The Powerhouse, the stadium is set to become the centrepiece of Birmingham’s emerging Sports Quarter in the east of the city. With a proposed capacity of 62,000 seats, it is projected to become the second-largest club football stadium in the UK after Manchester United’s Old Trafford, which is also scheduled for redevelopment by Foster + Partners.
The project represents Heatherwick Studio’s first full stadium commission. While the studio has previously contributed to sports architecture projects—including a proposal for the 2012 Olympic Velodrome and a planned stand for Fulham Football Club in 2016—The Powerhouse will be its first stadium to move toward construction.
Design Rooted in Local Industry
The stadium’s most distinctive feature is its 12 brick chimneys, inspired by Birmingham’s former brickworks and industrial heritage. According to Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studio, “Too often, stadiums feel like spaceships that could have landed anywhere, sterilising the surrounding area,”.
This approach was intended to ground the stadium in the city’s identity, contrasting with typical stadium designs that may feel detached from their surroundings.
Key design points include:
- Twelve brick chimneys forming a structural and visual frame.
- Integration of lifts and staircases within the chimneys.
- One chimney designated as a bar, intended to become the highest bar in the city.
- Retractable roof suitable for sports and large-scale music events.
- Movable pitch that can be retracted or reconfigured for other activities.
The chimneys provide vertical support for the steel roof while housing functional elements, from circulation to public amenities. The design is intended to encourage community use and not just match-day attendance.
Capacity and Functional Features
The seating bowl follows a traditional design, topped with a steel roof suspended from the chimneys. Additional features include:
- Fan zones and public areas at ground level.
- Event-ready spaces for concerts, cultural activities, and community programs.
- Accessibility features, including lifts and staircases embedded in chimneys.
- Plazas connecting the stadium to the surrounding urban environment.
The stadium’s retractable roof ensures year-round usability, while the movable pitch allows for flexible configuration depending on the event.
Heatherwick Studio further emphasized the city-focused approach, He said , “The stadium will truly come alive where it meets the ground; a place for play, gathering, and everyday life. The goal is to capture the spirit of the city and give it back to Birmingham.”
This statement reflects the ambition to create a venue that contributes to urban life beyond football matches.
Studio Background and Experience
Although The Powerhouse is the studio’s first full stadium project, Heatherwick Studio has experience with large-scale and high-profile projects. Past work includes:
- A retail store in New York featuring distinctive structural design.
- A tree-like park in China, combining natural forms with public space.
- A ribbon-like waterfront park in Kentucky, focused on public engagement.
These projects demonstrate the studio’s focus on integrating architecture with community use, a principle applied to the stadium design.
Community Integration and Urban Context
The Powerhouse is envisioned as more than a sports venue. Its ground-level areas are designed to support everyday activity, gatherings, and public use. Expected benefits for Birmingham include:
- Enhanced public spaces around the stadium.
- Retail and hospitality opportunities.
- Event programming for sports, music, and cultural activities.
- Improved pedestrian and transport connections.
The stadium is intended to act as a hub for the Sports Quarter, ensuring activity even when matches are not taking place.
Next Steps
Through the next few years, the Birmingham City Football Club project will be detailed design development, planning approvals, and construction stages. Although the timings of these stages are still uncertain, the football club and the design team emphasize the investment of the club and the city into the far future.
Through the use of brick chimneys, functional integration, and community-focused design, The Powerhouse is a source of inspiration for future stadiums that can be both culturally connected and capable of change. Its size and design indicate a move away from the usual stadiums, a combination of heritage, usability and city contribution.
Image- dezeen
