Just over a week after unveiling, The Powerhouse—the proposed home for Birmingham City FC—continues to captivate fans and city residents alike. Designed to seat 62,000 supporters, the stadium’s signature features include 12 towering chimneys, two soaring 120 meters high, that blend architectural innovation with rich local heritage. Positioned within Birmingham’s Sports Quarter, The Powerhouse aims for an opening in time for the 2030/31 season.
Behind this visionary design are London-based Heatherwick Studio and the US firm MANICA, joined by local expert Steven Knight. Heatherwick’s lead architect, Eliot Postma, recently spoke on the Keep Right On Podcast to share insights into the project’s inspiration, design challenges, and environmental ambitions.
Heatherwick Studio, with over thirty years of experience and a portfolio including London’s iconic red buses and the 2012 Olympic Cauldron, had never designed a stadium before. Postma described the project as a dream come true—an opportunity to create a “temple of togetherness” that fosters real-life social connection, countering the isolating trend of digital interaction.
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The brief from Knighthead called for a stadium that was not only functional but an unmistakable symbol of pride for Blues fans and an intimidating fortress for visiting teams—a true home advantage. The design competition was intense but, within about three months, the team assembled a comprehensive vision.
Collaboration was key. Alongside Heatherwick and MANICA architects, multiple engineering specialists tackled structure, mechanical systems, and sustainability. Retail and community engagement experts also helped ensure the stadium would be a vibrant hub year-round, appealing to diverse local demographics near the historic Wheels site.
Working with MANICA brought expertise from NFL stadiums, enhancing the design with innovative features like a lightweight concertina-style operable roof, allowing maximum solar panel coverage—close to 10,000 panels powered by reclaimed materials, fulfilling high sustainability standards.
The twelve chimneys draw inspiration from the site’s Victorian brickworks heritage. These imposing brick structures are more than aesthetic statements; they serve functional purposes such as natural ventilation through the “stack effect,” drastically reducing energy use by pulling warm air upward and out of the stadium. Some chimneys will also house elevators providing immersive visitor experiences—projected timelines of Birmingham’s industrial and football history—offering panoramic city views and potential hospitality amenities.
Reclaimed bricks from the Midlands, possibly including fan bricks from St Andrew’s, will ground the stadium in the community’s rich legacy, inviting fans to contribute to its story.
Postma highlighted the importance of creating a stadium that lives beyond match days, activating spaces like a market hall and immersive installations that welcome visitors throughout the year.
The innovative retractable pitch will slide beneath the east stand, similar to Tottenham’s system, allowing seamless transitions between football matches and major concerts or events without damaging the playing surface.
While construction timelines are ambitious—potentially two to two and a half years—the team focuses on modular prefabrication of key components to accelerate the build without compromising quality.
With The Powerhouse, Birmingham City is set to deliver not only a state-of-the-art sporting venue but a bold civic landmark intertwining history, innovation, sustainability, and community spirit.