Myron Sullivan, a key architect working on the highly anticipated new San Siro stadium project, has stressed the critical importance of honoring the venue's rich history while creating a modern facility for AC Milan and Inter Milan. Sullivan, who serves as the chief of the Venues Specialist team at Foster and Partners, outlined the design philosophy that will guide the reconstruction of one of soccer's most iconic stadiums.
The project gained significant momentum several months ago when Milan and Inter officially selected Foster and Partners along with Manica as the architectural firms responsible for designing the new San Siro. Following the recent completion of the purchase of the Giuseppe Meazza stadium and the surrounding San Siro area, both firms are now working intensively to develop the final design for what promises to be a landmark project in Italian sports architecture.
The expectations surrounding this development are exceptionally high, particularly given Italy's historical challenges with constructing new stadiums. The architectural teams face the complex task of creating a venue that pays proper respect to the stadium's legendary past while simultaneously propelling both clubs into the 21st century with state-of-the-art facilities and modern amenities.
In a detailed interview with Foster and Partners' website, Sullivan addressed several key questions about the design process and the factors that will be most important in developing the San Siro area. He drew comparisons to Wembley Stadium, another prestigious venue designed by his firm, as an example of successful historical preservation combined with modern innovation.
When discussing how historical context influences stadium design, Sullivan explained that "historical context and collective memory are major influences on the design of new stadiums." He pointed to projects such as Wembley to emphasize the critical importance of "respectfully preserving identity, while ensuring the stadium aligns with modern-day requirements." Sullivan noted that while Wembley's original stadium spirit has been retained, the introduction of the distinctive arch created a new identity on the city skyline.
Sullivan also highlighted adaptive reuse and the repurposing of stadiums for different types of events as another effective way to maintain their cultural meaning and ensure they remain viable for future generations. This approach allows venues to serve multiple purposes beyond traditional sporting events, maximizing their utility and community impact.
Regarding technological innovations shaping the design process, Sullivan revealed that artificial intelligence and cloud computing have revolutionized the way architects analyze sightlines in modern stadium design. He explained that "in recent years, there has been a shift from two-dimensional to three-dimensional sightline analysis, which has allowed us to simulate and optimize crowd flows and seating arrangements for an incredible atmosphere."
The architect further elaborated on how new technologies are fundamentally altering the way stadiums can be transformed for different events. He specifically mentioned features like retractable roofs and pitches, which support the growing trend toward multi-purpose venues that maximize revenue generation and community use. These technological advances enable stadiums to host a wider variety of events throughout the year, making them more economically sustainable and valuable to their surrounding communities.
The San Siro project represents a significant milestone in Italian sports infrastructure development, as the country has historically faced numerous obstacles in stadium construction and renovation. The collaboration between Foster and Partners and Manica brings international expertise to a project that must balance the deep emotional and historical significance of San Siro with the practical demands of modern professional soccer and entertainment venues.
