Architects: OFIS Architects
Area: 6,108 m²
Year: 2014
Photography: Tomaz Gregoric
Lead Architects: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik
Project Team: Janez Martincic, Rok Gerbec, Andrej Gregoric, Janja Del Linz, Katja Aljaz, Ana Kosi, Ieva Cicenaite, Grzegorz Ostrowski, Filip Knapczyk, Sergio Silva Santos
Collaborators: Lorna Jackson, Patrycja Majewska, Rita Dolmany, Dusan Chobor, Darko Ivanovski, Alex Manecan, Catalina Severin, Michele Albonetti
Engineering: Magnus Group
Client: FC Bate, County of Borisov
City: Borisov
Country: Belarus
Football Stadium Arena Borisov, designed by OFIS Architects in Borisov, Belarus, integrates natural site advantages and existing terrain, preserving as many trees as possible. Completed in 2014, the 6,108 m² arena includes 13,000 seats, 3,000 m² of public space, and features a rounded dome with a perforated skin, creating a unique public vestibule.
The concept of the Football Stadium Arena Borisov by OFIS Architects leverages the natural advantages of its location in Borisov, Belarus, while preserving many existing trees on-site. The stadium, completed in 2014, accommodates 13,000 seats and includes an additional 3,000 m² of public space, achieving a 4-star UEFA categorization. Traffic and parking are organized within the forested area.
The arena’s unified, rounded dome gives the impression of a single enclosed object. Its skin resembles a fragile, stretched perforated textile over the stadium skeleton. The space between the skin and the stands function as a public street, with shops, bars, services, toilets, and galleries housing offices, VIP areas, and press facilities.
Internally, the rounded design provides excellent acoustics, enhancing the atmosphere during games and focusing concentration during training. The playing surface, oriented north-south, measures 85×105 m, with 68×105 m used for play. Surrounding areas accommodate advertising screens, photographers, and cameras. Seating includes 17 rows along the sides and 27-28 rows along the short sides. The upper west gallery has press cabins for 40 journalists, with direct access to the press room and mix zone. The east side features VIP stands with 250 seats, bars, and entertainment spaces, accessible by elevator from the entrance area. Athletes have separate access, leading to team buses and parking. Each field entry point includes dressing rooms, a mix zone, physiotherapy, and doping control areas.
The stadium has four floors with additional program and service facilities under the west stand and three floors under the east side. The first-floor visitor foyer, a covered, naturally ventilated plateau, contains toilets, bars, a first-aid room, and a detention area. Public programs totaling 3,000 m² area distributed at ground level on the north, south, and east ends. The east houses a restaurant and bowling area, with meals prepared for VIPs during matches. The south features public fitness/gym studios. Other public areas are designed for commercial activities. Restaurants have access from the public platform, surrounded by a rounded pedestrian square serving as a peripheral roundabout and meeting area. Parking is organized within the existing forest area.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 119 Gagarin Street, Borisov, Minsk Region 222511, Belarus
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
