TwistedSifter

Designed by Toyo Ito of Japan, the World Games Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan was constructed for the upcoming World Games (most literal name ever?), which runs from July 16 - July 26, 2009.

The Stadium
- Total costs were upwards of $150 million USD and the entire project took only two years to build with no site accidents recorded
- The building sits on 19 hectares of land with 7 hectares reserved for the integrated public green spaces, bike paths, sports parks, and an ecological pond
- The stadium has approximately 40,000 seats and can house over 55,000 spectators

The Design
- The World Games Stadium differs from traditionally enclosed stadiums and embraces an open design that signifies a cordial welcome with a cheerful greeting
- The planning of the stadium is oriented with a north-south direction, with a slight northwest-southeast 15-degree angle
- The spiral conforms to the open “C” shape of the stadium which emulates the form of a flowing river
- This design allows shelter from the southwestern summer winds and the northwestern winter winds
- At the same time, such orientation shelters from sunlight, providing a more comfortable sports environment

The Green
- The 14,155 sq. meter roof contains 8,844 solar panels which generates 1.14 million kWh of electricity per year, reducing 660 tons of annual carbon dioxide output
- With approximately 3,300 lights, two giant television screens, and complete surround sound, the solar panels can provide up to 75% of the stadium’s energy needs
- When no competitions are taking place, the electricity generated is fed into the grid where it will meet almost 80% of the neighbouring area’s energy requirements
- All the raw materials used in the main stadium are 100% reusable and made in Taiwan

Sources
- http://www.worldgames2009.tw/wg2009/eng/Venues_connect2.php
- http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=143768
- http://www.3-s.ch/en/news/solar-energy-for-the-world-games-2009-in-taiwan–thanks-to-swiss-know-how.html
- http://deputy-dog.com/2009/05/taiwans-cutting-edge-solar-powered.html