A German structural engineer is to give an insider’s perspective on the design and construction of the Green Point Stadium roof.

As the first elements of the roof of the new Green Point Stadium start to take shape, the next presentation for the 2010 Lecture Series will feature a once-off presentation by German roof structural engineer Knut Goeppert.

Goeppert will give his audience an insider’s perspective on the design and construction of the unique roof, which will take nearly a year to complete.

He is the managing director of the Stuttgart-based Schlaich Bergermann und Partner - a company that has been involved in 15 Soccer World Cup stadia over the last 10 years. He is currently working on four of South Africa’s 2010 stadiums.

“The Green Point Stadium is special”, Goeppert says. “We see it in the same league as our Olympic Stadium designs in Munich (1972) and Berlin (refurbishment for the World Cup Final 2006). It is different from many recent large scale stadia, and will be an elegant and sustainable solution, structurally sound and unique.”

The 36 000 square metre hanging roof is curved to give the stadium a flowing look from every perspective. It will be translucent to take full advantage of natural light and will be weighted down with 3500 tons of steel and 1000 tons of glass, to cope with Cape Town’s strong winds.

Construction on the new roof started in September, with the erection of the first compression ring.

The 2010 Lecture Series is a bi-monthly series of lectures presented by speakers who are integrally involved in the planning and implementation of national projects towards the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, whose views are of special interest to the public.

DATE: Thursday 13 November 2008
VENUE: Green Point Stadium Visitor Centre, Vlei Rd, Green Point
TIME: 17:15 for 17:30
PROGRAMME: Guided stadium walk by stadium construction expert. Drinks and presentation
COST: R100.00
RESERVATIONS: Lana on 021 430 0410 / lana@greenpointstadiumvc.co.za