Engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald has been appointed by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) to aid the next phase of the redevelopment of Stade Roland Garros.
Following the end of the 2021 French Open on June 5, work is now due to begin on installing a retractable roof over Court Suzanne Lenglen. The second-biggest stadium of the complex, Court Suzanne Lenglen is receiving its upgrade ahead of Roland Garros’ staging of tennis events at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
As a leader of an advisory team, Mott MacDonald has been appointed by the FFT to work on the modernisation of the complex. The company’s Paris team will manage the operation to ensure its success in terms of planning, cost and expected quality. The work includes feasibility and scoping, procurement advisory, project management and technical advisory.
Designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, the works will be led by Renaudat Center Constructions through a design and build contract for a total amount of approximately €45m (£38.7m/$53.3m). The project will use approximately 50% recycled steel for around 1,000 tonnes of material and have a 370m² photovoltaic panel.
Mott MacDonald’s project director, Jean-Sébastien Voisin, said: “I am very excited to be working on the iconic Stade Roland-Garros. This project will enable the organisation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games events and means fans will enjoy the tennis in all weather for years to come.”
Work is being planned around the 2022 and 2023 French Opens to ensure availability of the Court Suzanne Lenglen. The work is scheduled to be finished by December 2023.
Roland Garros’ main stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier, received its new roof ahead of the 2020 French Open. Prior to this, the tournament was the only grand slam not to offer a covered court.
Images: Dominique Perrault Architecture
