Australia wins competition to design Addis Ababa stadium

Australia's Laboratory for Visionary Architecture (LAVA) has won an international competition to design a national stadium and sports village for Addis Ababa.

The Federal Sports Commission of Ethiopia selected the stadium design of the Sydney-based firm, who collaborated with local architects Designsport and JDAW.

Situated on 60 hectares, the new FIFA and Olympic grade stadium will be able to seat 60,000 spectators and construction is scheduled to begin in 2014.

The architects were inspired by the volcanic landscape and culture of Ethiopia. The stadium's crater-like design references the region's ancient underground dwellings and cisterns, and includes shapes inspired by the country's coffee beans. The building's façade material recalls the Massob, a traditional Ethiopian basket made from woven grass.

The pitch will be located below ground level, while the sports village will have indoor and outdoor aquatic centres and a range of sports facilities and accommodation for athletes.

It is envisaged that the landmark stadium will be used for cultural, religious and national events, in addition to regular sporting fixtures.