The Miraj Cricket Stadium in Rajasthan is trying out an idea India hasn’t seen before. Instead of treating a stadium as a stand-alone venue, it has been designed as part of a luxury hotel complex. The result is a structure that doesn’t just host matches but pushes the boundaries of what sports architecture in the country can look like.
What catches the eye even before stepping in is the metal façade. Designed and executed by Metaguise, the exterior gives the stadium a visual identity far removed from the usual concrete-heavy sports structures. The firm handled everything from design detailing to engineering, fabrication and on-site installation, ensuring that the façade worked both as an artistic statement and as a functional skin.
The most striking feature is MetaCoin, the company’s signature parametric system. Thousands of circular metal discs in warm gold tones create a shimmering surface that changes with the light. From a distance, the pattern looks almost like an embroidered fabric stretched across the building. Up close, it becomes a detailed metal artwork. The idea was to create a façade that recognises sporting tradition while pointing towards a more ambitious future.
At the lower levels, the design shifts character. MetaLouvers in a wood-like finish frame the entrances and bring texture and warmth to the base of the stadium. They guide visitors inward and set a calmer tone before the drama of the bowl and seating areas take over. The use of a wood-toned surface also balances the bold metallic layers above.
Higher up, custom-engineered 3D panels take over. These are designed to catch and reflect light, giving the building a gentle glow after sunset. The idea wasn’t to create a bright or flashy lighting effect but a soft illumination that complements both the stadium and the adjoining hotel complex.
Between these elements lie MetaPlanks, another surface developed to add a sense of quietness and grounding to the façade. Their subtle lines break the monotony of expanses of metal while keeping the overall language cohesive. Solid Panels, known for durability, tie the entire façade together and ensure long-term performance in Rajasthan’s demanding climate.
This mix of systems and finishes is not simply ornamental. The metal façade works as a protective layer that helps regulate heat, channels airflow and improves the stadium’s long-term life. The combination of textures also allows the large structure to feel lighter and more dynamic from the outside.
In a country where most sports infrastructure tends to prioritise utility over visual identity, the Miraj Cricket Stadium attempts a shift. It shows how a stadium can serve as both a functional venue and an architectural statement. By blending structural performance with a strong design language, the project sets a new benchmark for what future sports buildings in India could aim for.
Metaguise describes the work not as decorative cladding but as a tribute in metal. The façade, with its detailed craft and layered surfaces, makes that claim believable.
