Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron is reportedly "working with Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands on proposals to increase the capacity" of Chelsea's Stamford Bridge home, according to Richard Waite of ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. The firm behind the '08 "bird's nest" National Stadium in Beijing is looking at "concept designs for the potential revamp of the club's existing 41,837-seat stadium in west London." The Swiss-based firm has "already designed one major football stadium project -- the much-publicised Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany -- and is working across the capital on the extension to the Tate Modern" (ARCHITECTS JOURNAL, 1/5). In London, Owen Gibson reported after "several proposals to move to locations within reasonable distance of their home -- including Earls Court, White City and Battersea Power Station -- hit the buffers," Chelsea announced in June it was looking at proposals to "increase the capacity at Stamford Bridge to nearer 60,000." The club has made raising the capacity of 41,837 "a priority in order to better compete with their Premier League and European rivals and the need has become more acute in an era of financial fair play" (GUARDIAN, 1/5). In London, Joe Ridge reported Stamford Bridge is "surrounded by buildings and next to a railway line in the heart of the Fulham Broadway area and no viable expansion method has yet been found" despite Owner Roman Abramovich's "best efforts" since buying the club in '03 (DAILY MAIL, 1/5).
