The Rio de Janeiro stadium will be

The Rio de Janeiro stadium will be in the limelight once again at Brazil 2014, hosting seven games in all and the Final on 13 July. The Jornalista Mário Filho Stadium, the Maracanã, one of the biggest icons in the history of soccer, has been going through a ‘retrofit’ for the 2014 World Cup.
Maracana StadiumFernandes´ main concept of the project is the modernization of the structures whilst preserving its remarkable features. The façade, for example, will be maintained, what will make the Maracanã to remain virtually intact from the outside. Inside the arena, a new roof will be built; it stands out for not having visual impacts, as it will be “invisible” from the outside of the stadium.
Maracana StadiumGrandstands and other service facilities will be redesigned to meet current standards and requirements. The modernization will bring up a new Maracanã stadium, preserving the striking features of this icon of the History of Soccer.
Maracana StadiumThe choice for Brazil as host country of World Cup 2014, and the automatic assurance that Maracanã Stadium would be the “stage” of the final match (even before the official definition), were the departing points of the need for preparing a project that modernized and preserved the renowned stadium.
Maracana StadiumThe differential was the proposal of making the arena as modern and efficient as the best ones in the world, associated to a brand built during more than 60 years of history and symbolism.
Maracana StadiumThe major challenge was to preserve to the utmost the existing structure, while promoting the improvements required, which were only made feasible by interventions.
Maracana StadiumA new Maracanã “was born” within the old one, so as not to replace the existing arena, but renew it. Inevitably, in this process, some structures were eliminated to provide room for others, new elements were incorporated and the remaining parts were recovered.
Maracana StadiumFor example, the three first structural axes that currently shelter almost everything that is common and recognized in the stadium were maintained. Façade was preserved, and regardless the point where it is seen from, Maracanã remains virtually intact externally.
Maracana StadiumNot even the new coverage (major element introduced in stadiums around the globe in the last 20 years) provides visual impact and cannot be seen from outside the stadium.
Maracana StadiumFinally, the project has provided to the public the certainty of being inside Maracanã, and moreover the sensation that Maracanã will be eternal. Two floors feature 88 boxes, each measuring 50m² and with the capacity to accommodate up to 30 people. The boxes have an attached private grandstand.
Maracana StadiumLocation: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Architects: Fernandes Arquitetos Associados
Architect In Charge: Daniel Hopf Fernandes
General contractor: Consórcio Maracanã
Capacity for the World Cup: 81,550 (including VIP box seats)
Covered area: 45,500 m²
Dimensions: 298 x 260 m
Start of planning: April 2009
Completion: April 2013
Client: EMOP, Rio de Janeiro
Photographs: Courtesy of Fernandes Arquitetos Associados