Matteo Osato

This research explores the development of the Orlando Football Complex, integrating cutting-edge technologies, sustainable design, and theoretical frameworks to create a vibrant, inclusive football hub in Orlando. Guided by the architectural "placemaking" principle, the complex prioritises social interaction, cultural expression, and environmental sustainability. By reintroducing Orlando Pirates Football Club to Orlando, the project aims to revitalise underutilised spaces, commemorate the community's rich football history, and foster a sense of place and identity. The research examines Orlando's architectural context, proposing connections between the newly developed Orlando Stadium, Orlando Pirates Training Centre, Orlando Pirates Athletes’ Residences, and existing urban fabric through urban parks, pedestrian walkways, and green belts. The project aims to transform Orlando East and West into a walkable city with lively street life by breaking the panopticon street system. Ultimately, the envisioned Orlando Football Complex honours the past, embraces the present, and shapes a more inclusive future for the legendary neighbourhood of Orlando.