Norman Foster on San Siro: ‘Will respect heritage but also create something new’

Lord Norman Foster has shared his thoughts on the planned redevelopment of the San Siro area and the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, which his firm, along with MANICA, will be responsible for designing: ‘It’s an exciting journey, which will respect heritage but also create something new’. 

The Milan city council have recently voted in favour of a sale of the San Siro site, including the Stadio Meazza, to the football clubs AC Milan and Inter. 

The two clubs will look to completely redevelop the stadium and surrounding area to bring the site in line with other state-of-the-art sporting venues across Europe. Foster + Partners, founded by Lord Foster, along with MANICA, who specialise in the design and construction of sports venues, have been confirmed as the architects for the new project. 

Lord Foster was in Italy on Tuesday for the Next Design Perspectives 2025 event in the city of Milan, where he briefly spoke about the ‘exciting’ San Siro project. 

Lord Foster admits that it is too early to give any major updates on the redevelopment, but expressed his excitement at being involved. 

“We’re starting the design process and it will be an exciting journey,” Lord Foster said (via Milannews.it) “It’s too early to talk about it, but it will be an interesting project. I hope to return here soon and share the fruit of our labour with everyone involved. 

“It’s a great project. Two teams, two owners, the city, an exceptional, iconic structure. History tells us that there is an inevitable need for a new stadium.