What Matters
February 2020 Issue
Field Goals
Super Bowl LIV is on Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Some of you will be quite passionate about the winner between the Chiefs and 49ers. Others will want to know the winner of the J-Lo and Shakira half-time concert. And still others will pay attention to the TV only when the commercials come on in between sports ball segments.
One hundred million of you will watch! At $5.6 million for a 30 second commercial spot, it’s the most expensive “Marketing Bowl” ever. SPOILER ALERT: Mr. Peanut dies. There will be a Pepsi commercial with H.E.R. and Missy Elliott, and everyone wants to know if Betty White will appear in this year’s Snickers ad.
Interior Matter has decided to use this annual event to look at futuristic stadiums being built around the world. We’ll offer some Miami travel tips, and as always, we’ll show you an ongoing Interior Matter design project.
Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
Zaha Hadid Architects constructed this sleek stadium with one major event in mind: the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar. The blueprints were inspired by the maritime history of Al Wakrah as well as the aesthetic and function of a boat; the structure’s undulating shape is a nod to traditional dhows, and the retractable fabric roof can be unfurled like a sail when there needs to be shade. The 40,000-person structure also comes equipped with custom under-seat cooling systems that can withstand Qatar’s intense heat.
Howard Terminal (Oakland)
The phrase “Take me out to the ballgame,” has a whole new meaning at the forthcoming Oakland A’s baseball stadium. Bjarke Ingels Group has transformed the bowl into an entire entertainment complex and outdoor space, featuring a multilevel rooftop park that overlooks the diamond and harbor. Spectators will be able to watch the game from either the 27,000 seats or the 10,000-person standing room area among the park’s treetops when it’s completed in 2023.
Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú (Mexico City)
This futuristic baseball stadium by Mexican architects Francisco Gonzalez Pulido and Alonso de Garay is a striking standout in Mexico City thanks to its angular canopied cover, which hovers over the main grandstand. From an aerial view, the jagged roof resembles the pointed trident logo of the Diablos Rojos del México team. Built over the footprint of the 1968 Olympic complex, the stadium is surrounded by an outdoor market, organic garden, and batting cages, all of which are open to the public.
Miami Matters
HOTELS
RESTAURANTS
Surf Club (by Thomas Keller), first with a drink at the hotel bar
Faena for a drink and live music
THINGS TO DO
Recently Completed
We previously shared a rendered design of a client’s new living room with you, and now that project is almost complete! Take a look at some of our in-progress photos below.
In the News
We thought you might enjoy this Forbes article on how an interior designer can save you money on renovations and increase the value of your home.
