THE new concept design for Al Wakrah Stadium in Qatar has been revealed and early works are expected to begin on site next month (January).

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee unveiled the innovative design that has been developed by Aecom in association with Zaha Hadid Architects.

The design of the stadium and the development of an approximately 585,000 sq m precinct area surrounding it will embrace the cultural heritage of Al Wakrah and the adjacent historical settlement of Al Wukair. Al Wakrah, famous for its fishing and seafaring heritage, is the proposed southern-most host city for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

The stadium will have a gross capacity of 40,000. The top tiers of the stadium will be modular, allowing the stadium’s capacity to be lowered to 20,000.

Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, said: “The launch of the design constitutes the first in an upcoming series of progress-related events and initiatives as we enter the early phase of delivering the promises we made to Fifa and the international football community during the bid.

“We are at an advanced stage in our planning. Al Wakrah is the first of six stadiums already in the latter stages of the design process. Our committee has issued 10 major tenders to the market encompassing project and design managers and stadium operation consultants,” Al Thawadi said.

The tender for the main contractor for the Al Wakrah stadium project will be issued in the second quarter of next year with construction to begin in the fourth quarter.

After a rigorous design process, undertaken by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, in co-ordination with its stakeholders, the local construction market will see real work and progress. Works will begin to be visible on stadium sites next year.

In 2014, tenders will be issued for early works, enabling works and main contractors for five stadiums. These stadia will be in different construction stages by the fourth quarter.

All construction contracts for the stadium will be issued in line with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s Workers’ Charter and Standards that has been developed in consultation with international human rights organisations, enforcing best practice in maintenance of workers’ welfare within Qatar and the region.