Twickenham Gates, London

Celebrating the sense of arrival

• CLIENT: Rugby Football Union
• LOCATION: Twickenham, London
• CAPACITY: 82,000
• SERVICES: Architecture

Following its role hosting the Rugby World Cup, the Rugby Football Union, commissioned WOO architects to design two landmark gateways for its Twickenham Stadium in south-west London. Known as the Home of England Rugby, and with a seating capacity of 82,000, this is the world’s largest dedicated rugby union venue.

With a design based on the temporary structure created by WOO for the 2015 World Cup, the new permanent gates celebrate the excitement and sense of arrival at the iconic stadium and create a ticketed fan zone for an enhanced pre-match spectator experience.

Framed by folded zinc canopies, each new entrance provides state-of-the-art turnstile and access systems, security checks and welcome areas, along with weather protection for staff and spectators during security checks.

The three-metre-high decorative gates each feature oversized letting depicting a verse from the poem and hymn Jerusalem by William Blake. The graphic design and concept developed by WOO’s’ in-house team combine to provide a unique backdrop and photo opportunity for stadium visitors.

In addition to the main entrances, WOO has also worked on the broader masterplan to streamline spaces and deliver new, high-quality and flexible areas for events and temporary activations.