Dutch design company United Network Studio (UNStudio), led by world-renowned architect Ben van Berkel, has won the international competition for the masterplan of the new National Football Centre.

The competition was held in two phases since March: PRAUD Research Group and ATEC Architects & Associates were selected after the first phase, whilst Designcamp MoonPark (DMP) and UNStudio were invited to join the candidates in the second phase. After a four-way contest for three months, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced the winning design on 10 June.

The new National Football Centre, to be established in Ipjang-myeon, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do by June 2023, is a joint project between the KFA and Cheonan City.

The concept of the winning design by UNStudio is to build the National Football Centre as the core of Korean football, where the national teams can synergise their efforts through various levels whilst football fans are encouraged to visit and enjoy the facilities. The training facilities are not only designed for the training itself, but to create a strong branding strategy in order to apply state-of-the-art technology and help the sponsors achieve their commercial goals as well. The focal point of the masterplan is the central public plaza, with three primary pieces of architecture - the stadium, the indoor stadium and the football museum - proposed as the landmark at the core of the NFC.

Dutch architect Ben van Berkel is famous for various concepts and exceptional design, currently working on various projects in architecture, urban design and infrastructure. His works include the Museum of Middle Eastern Art in Dubai, the Europa City Centre in France and Southbank by Beluah in Australia.

The winning masterplan will undergo a two month’s revision process, before Kunwon Architects will complete the final blueprints from the original design.

The National Football Centre is KFA’s joint project with Cheonan City, to construct various facilities including the players’ quarters, an office building, a small-sized stadium, a standard indoor football stadium, natural grass and artificial turf pitches, a gymnasium, a football museum, a futsal stadium, a tennis court and a swimming pool on a building site of approximately 450,000 square metres.

The KFA plans to build the National Football Centre as one of the best sporting facilities in Korea and the cradle of Korean football, where the national teams at various levels, youth and amateur football clubs, referees and coaches can train whilst the local residents and football fans can enjoy the game.