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The stadium spectacle

The distance of 192,27 metres is something like the prototypical formula for modern sporting venues. As a unit of measurement, the term `stadium' first referred to the length of the racetrack in the Greek Olympics. Beginning around 600 BC, the concept was increasingly used as a synonym for the competition venues, which even at that time provided room for as many as 30 000 spectators.

Fascinating atmosphere

Although today's track competitions are of a different calibre, enthusiastic sports fans' attraction to stadia remains. And it seems to be intensifying, because stadia are increasingly becoming part of huge event productions worldwide. Jacques Herzog, one of the founders of the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, describes the effect of the new spectacles as: "A stadium is simultaneously a stage for sports, and also a stage for the spectators. They want to celebrate themselves while they watch. The fascination of the charged atmosphere, the tremendous motivation of the athletes - the spectators want to feel all of that, be incredibly close to it all, and form a bond with one another."

The Swiss firm was also responsible for the design of the Allianz Arena in Munich. The new building was one of 12 venues for the matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. 66 000 fans in the stadium and billions of television spectators celebrated when the whistle blew to start off the opening game between Costa Rica and the host Germany on 9 June.

An expert for stadia

As in all other FIFA World Cup stadia, leading-edge technology from Siemens played a decisive role in ensuring that everything ran smoothly behind the scenes of the 2006 event. The Siemens high-tech solutions support information technology and communications, security, building technology, energy, transportation and lighting. In line with its guiding principle 'Technology behind the game', the company has developed into a stadium expert, providing all of the required technology from a single source. "Our technical solutions guarantee the highest possible degree of the functionality demanded by FIFA, the stadium operators, and the venues, and thereby ensure that the matches run smoothly," explains Thomas Brodocz, director of the FIFA World Cup 2006 Project Office at Siemens.

Advanced technology in demand

The role of the aesthetics desired by the architect and the stadium operators is also always taken into account. This demand was fulfilled in a particularly impressive way with the lighting system of the Allianz Arena in Munich. This stadium is a veritable chameleon which can glow alternately in red, blue or white.

Of the 2874 rhombus-shaped membrane cushions that give the stadium its characteristic appearance, 1056 are illuminated, corresponding to a total surface area of 24 000 square metres. Ferdinand Reisinger, Siemens project director for the Allianz Arena was quite pleased: "A combination of lamps with long-lasting electronics and technologically innovative, easy installable and serviceable lights had to be found. Moreover, they had to produce little heat in order to meet the strict fire protection requirements. Together with the firm Siteco, we created the perfect solution."

The access control system is another highlight of the stadium's construction. Together with the Austrian partner Skidata, new spectator entry systems were installed that can process various ticket types.

These include the new FIFA World Cup tickets with integrated RFID chips, which can verify entry permission using radio signal, without physical contact. Even the stadium's surroundings are included in the overall concept, as demonstrated in the solutions for emergency exit systems and transportation information systems. Brodocz summarises the accomplishments of all parties involved: "With our solutions for the arena in Munich, as well as for the other FIFA World Cup stadia, such as in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig or Stuttgart, we underscore our expertise in conceiving newly constructed and reconstructed stadium buildings as an holistic task and offer the right solutions."

Allianz Arena meets 2006 FIFA World Cup requirements

Siemens solution

Security solutions:

* Access system.

* Fire detection systems.

Building management:

* Building automation.

* Information management.

* Telecommunication systems.

Telematics:

* Highways connections.

* Emergency systems.

Stadium illumination

Energy management:

* Measurement techniques - Control and regulation,

Value to customer:

* Complete and scalable security solutions meeting FIFA's stringent requirements for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

* Reduction of future operational costs due to modern technology that streamline operations.

* On-time installation.

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