Weaving Communities: FEM Stadium by WTA Architecture and Design

FEM Stadium is a 12,000-capacity track and field stadium in Laoag City that serves as the primary social space for the people of Ilocos Norte. The stadium is located at the heart of the city adjacent to the Mariano Marcos State University and opposite Rizal Park.

A Stadium Park

The main feature of the stadium is its open southern end, where an open amphitheater and sloping lawn lead towards Rizal Park. The open stadium allows for free and unfettered access for everyone and critically expands the existing public open space inside the city by 150%. This allows it to serve not just as a sports and events venue, but also as an extension of the park and a daily destination for both students and residents.

Clean Geometry

The minimalist and distinct geometry of an open bowl is defined by the corrugated PVC exterior wall and canopy that reflects the corrugated metal roofs of most local homes. This is carried by clean-cut curving steel columns that bend and narrow into the canopy rafters.

Familiar Face

The external skin is a celebration of the Ilokano Abel fabric that is considered an essential part of their life cycle. From birth, infants are wrapped in Abel; in adulthood, they use it in weddings; in death, they use it to wrap the departed ones. The process of making this fabric is passed down from generation to generation and preserves the Ilokanos’ character and identity. The “Binakol” or whirlwind pattern creates a human scale that can be easily recognized by its uniform interlocking geometric patterns that result in a traditional optical illusion that represents the waves of the sea and protects against malevolent spirits.

The People’s Stadium

The FEM Stadium now serves as the lynchpin for Ilocos Norte’s sports tourism program as part of a 12-hectare sports complex featuring the INSPIRE sports training center; the Centennial Arena; an aquatics center; and the INSPIRE sports education facility and dormitory. It is a public sports facility that truly belongs to the people. It is a symbol of a future that is open and accessible to every Ilokano. •