AFL Architects to Help Shape the Future of the Portuguese National Stadium

AFL Architects are proud to announce our involvement in the proposed refurbishment of the iconic Portuguese National Stadium in Vale do Jamor, Lisbon.
Following the official announcement from the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol and Ordem dos Arquitectos, we are delighted to be part of the winning team behind this transformative design, alongside Aires Mateus and Gonçalves Vieira Cruz.
The National Stadium, a Listed heritage site located near Lisbon’s city centre, is set to undergo a sensitive and innovative redesign. The proposal, which won first place in the 2024 competition, envisions a modernised venue that enhances the experience for athletes, spectators, and staff, with significant upgrades across its facilities. These changes will ensure the stadium continues to serve as a premier destination for football, rugby, and athletics, all while preserving its unique integration into the natural landscape.
Honouring the Past While Designing for the Future
The National Stadium’s integration within its topographical context is its defining feature and greatest uniqueness. Updating the stadium’s functional brief requires a return to this founding concept: seamlessly embedding the structure into the natural landscape of the Vale do Jamor.
Respecting the site’s heritage through its topography is central to recapturing the essence of the original design. The proposed intervention delicately extends the stadium’s program into the slope, embedding new elements into the terrain while suspending the redesigned roof above the hillside. This new roofline harmonises with the central complex, including the Honour Stand and the Colonnades, creating a unified dialogue between architecture and landscape.
The roof’s design draws inspiration from the influence of the original project, subtly merging with the surrounding topography and freeing the structure uphill. It reconnects with the natural terrain, framing the built heritage without imposing on it. This approach ensures the roof integrates into a continuous landscape gesture, avoiding artificial alterations to the land.
The construction system is defined by a Pratt truss structure supported by four strategically braced points. These supports optimize the load distribution, creating an efficient structural solution. The external cladding, made from translucent fabric, is tensioned to remain detached from the main structure, subtly concealing it and enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Key Considerations
The heritage value of the National Stadium lies primarily in its topographical context. This project seeks to address the requirements of a modernised functional program while honouring the site’s historical and cultural significance. At its core, the concept introduces a new “topographical roof,” extending and blending with the natural contours of the terrain. Here, architecture and landscape converge, preserving the scale and spirit of the original vision.
Project Details
- Location: Vale do Jamor, Lisbon
- Client: Portuguese Football Federation
- Intervention Area: 91,264m²
- Construction Area: 13,622m²
- Construction Cost: €25,000,000
- Capacity: 36,388 (subject to detailed design)
- Phase: First-place winner in the 2024 competition
Key features of the proposed refurbishment include:
- A striking new roof inspired by the stadium’s original design and site topography.
- VIP and VVIP lounges for premium experiences.
- State-of-the-art media facilities.
- Updated football, rugby, and athletics facilities.
- Enhanced accessibility throughout the venue.
- Extended toilet and concession areas.
- Improved sightlines for spectators.
- Refurbished landscaping that blends seamlessly with the Vale do Jamor.
Winning Team: AIRES MATEUS + AFL ARCHITECTS + GONÇALVES VIEIRA CRUZ
- Architecture: Manuel Aires Mateus (Coordination), Rita Ochoa, José Maria Gonçalves Vieira, and Tomás Cruz
- Landscape Architecture: João Nunes (PROAP)
- Engineering: Rui Furtado (AFACONSULT)
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