Rod Sheard

Rod Sheard is one of the pioneers of modern sports and entertainment architecture, having designed some of the most renowned venues of the last half-century.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Rod led the design of the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, which remains the only sports stadium to win the Royal Institute of British Architect’s prestigious Building of the Year award, now known as the Stirling Prize. He is the only architect to have designed two Olympic Stadiums in the modern era — for the Sydney 2000 and London 2012 Games.

Rod’s passion for clear, articulate design and great enthusiasm for sports architecture has led him to work for distinguished clients around the world. His portfolio of work includes the design for the new Wembley Stadium in collaboration with Foster + Partners, home to the England national football team; Principality Stadium in Cardiff for the Welsh Rugby Football Union; Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC; the retractable roof on Centre Court at Wimbledon; and Ascot Racecourse, which he presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Rod’s award-winning work has been exhibited globally, from the Royal Academy of Arts in London to “Beyond 2012 – Design is Great” in Taipei. His publications have received widespread acclaim and helped to establish new industry standards. In 2002, the University of Luton conferred on him the distinction of an honorary degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of his outstanding contribution to architecture, particularly in the field of sport.