Widely referred to as England’s home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground is the pre-eminent venue for the sport and prides itself on a ‘village green’ atmosphere, expressed by each stand’s unique character.

Grimshaw’s design for the Grand Stand replaced aging and inefficient facilities with a structure that is elegant and light, maximising seating with minimal interruption to views.

The two-tier structure is supported by just three columns and a two-storey spine beam, to give 4,000 seats in the lower tier, and space for 2,000 guests at the upper level – a third more seating than its predecessor.

Prefabricated off-site, the upper tier sits below a sinuous roof, tensioned with delicate tie rods. Beneath, a secondary level of 25 private boxes faces the pitch and appears to float about its central axis. Spanning 100 m in length, this sophisticated sleight of hand was achieved by embedding the supporting spine beam into the precast concrete.

Circulation, amenities and dining spaces are arranged to the rear of the stand, and enable efficient entry and exit for fans. Enclosed by opaque panels of glass and white fabric, these spaces frame abstract views the neighbouring conservation area.