Global expertise shaping Brisbane Stadium design
GIICA recently welcomed the team from Japanese architecture powerhouse, Azusa Sekkei, to Brisbane, bringing together international and local expertise as work continues on the design of the new Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park.
Japan’s Azusa Sekkei is part of the Brisbane Stadium Principal Architect consortium alongside Australian firms COX Architecture and Hassell. Their visit provided an opportunity for the teams to connect in person and with GIICA, progressing a shared vision for a stadium that reflects Queensland’s unique identity while delivering for athletes, audiences and the wider community.
Over an intensive week, the design teams participated in a series of workshops and stakeholder sessions, strengthening collaboration as the project moves through the critical design phase.
A 'Behind the Design' Fireside Chat also gave GIICA, COX and Hassell teams the opportunity to hear directly from the architects about the ideas, challenges and collaboration shaping the project.
Azusa Sekkei’s Project Advisor Yasuhito Furuta and Deputy Project Director Hidenori Nagase joined Hassell Managing Principal Lucy O’Driscoll and Olympic Overlay Specialist Ben Vickery for the session, representing more than a century of combined experience across stadium design and major event delivery.
L-R: Panel moderator Graham Witherspoon (GIICA), Yasuhito Furuta, translator Kenchiro Inoue and Hidenori Nagase (Azusa Sekkei) Lucy O’Driscoll (Hassell) and Ben Vickery (Vickery Hyett).
GIICA Chief Executive Officer Simon Crooks said a key takeaway from the session was the approach to designing the Brisbane Stadium not as an isolated building, but as an open place connected to the park, the city and its surroundings.
“Our Fireside Chat with the architects reinforced the value of bringing together global expertise and local knowledge to design a stadium for Brisbane’s future,” Mr Crooks said.
“Azusa Sekkei’s experience on projects such as the Tokyo 2020 National Stadium highlights the importance of designing venues that connect with their surroundings — particularly here in Victoria Park, where the relationship between the stadium, public space and the city will be critical.
“We know we have a big project ahead of us, but our team left the session inspired and motivated by the opportunity to be part of such a significant project for Queensland’s future.”
As design work progresses, this collaborative approach will continue to shape a stadium that is responsive to Brisbane’s climate, connected to its surroundings, and designed for long-term community use.
Learn more from COX and Hassell about the Queensland vision behind the new Brisbane Stadium HERE.
