Tottenham Hotspur & design thinking

Y’day Tottenham Hotspur unveiled pics of what their proposed new stadium would look like.What really caught my eye were some of the statements made by Spurs chairman,Daniel Levy on the brief given to the architects.The overall vision seemed to be a case of simple design thinking because it understood and focussed on delivering an exceptional fan experience rather than just an eye-catching stadium.

For any spectator of sport,nothing is more important than the atmosphere and Levy’s brief seems to have underscored that.Says Levy at the press conference,“My over-riding priority is to re-create the terrific atmosphere we have at the current stadium, within a world class stadium that offers state-of -the-art facilities.”

The club/Levy demonstrate further understanding of what makes for a fantastic atmosphere by identifying ‘noise’ and proximity to the pitch as critical to fan experience.For a fan rooting for his team at their home,nothing stirs him up more than the call of other fans and feeling the intensity on the pitch.Spurs intend to design the stadium and the roof in particular, in a manner which focusses the sound of 60,000 fans back onto the fans and the pitch.They also intend to keep the supporters as close to the pitch as possible. “Our fans will find themselves closer to the pitch than at any other comparable stadium in the UK. This design puts fan experience first.”

The experience begins outside the stadium…

The atmosphere needs to be built outside the stadium as well in the moments leading up to the match and KSS,the architects have proposed to embed video screens on the facade of the stadium as that’s the place where the fans gather before a match.Here’s an interview from David Keirle, chairman of KSS – the architects behind the stadium for more insights on designing the stadium.http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/insightintostadiumdesign151208.html

What’s worth mentioning is the way KSS has gone about the exercise.Not treating it like was architecture but an experience.Speaking to fans about what they like about the current stadium,what they would like in the new one,asking them where they would like to sing has helped in designing a fan-friendly experience.Certainly helps that David Keirle is a Spurs fan himself.

Spurs and KSS have certainly proved to be design-thinking savvy and will be banking on one thing for sure.The more electric the atmosphere,the more passionate the fan and the looser his purse strings!

P.S. – am not a Spurs fan.