Innovative Stadiums Being Built Around the Country

Stadiums are buildings where we cheer on our favorite teams, listen to our favorite bands, and attend important events that shape our lives. But the next generation of performance spaces are looking and performing quite a bit different from the old versions that we grew up in and developed our loyalties.

Let’s take a look at a few of the new stadiums being built in the U.S. right now and how AEC teams are making them better than ever before.

 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia:

 

Expected for completion in 2017, HOK Architects is designing the new home for the Atlanta Falcons NFL team along with tvsdesign, Goode Van Slyke Architecture and Stanley Beaman & Sears. Conversations first began about the new stadium in 2010, plans were finalized in 2012, and construction began in 2014. When complete, this stadium will have a seating capacity of 71,000 for NFL games, 32,000 for MLS games, and up to 81,000 for other types of events.

A key feature of this stadium is a retractable roof that will open and close like a camera aperture and that has a 360-degree HD video halo board built into it. This will give fans in every seat optimal views of the game. The stadium will also have a tech lounge, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of downtown, and a bar that extends 100 yards.

 

SunTrust Park – Atlanta, Georgia:

 

The city of Atlanta has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years, which is perhaps most evident by its ambitious construction and expansion projects. The Atlanta Braves MLB team is also getting a new home that will welcome fans on Opening Day 2017.

American Builders 2017 is the construction manager and general contractor for SunTrust Park, working alongside Brasfield & Gorrie, Mortenson Construction, Barton Malow Company and New South Construction Company. Not only will the new park be more intimate (41,000 seats), but it will also feature a 18,000-square-foot hospitality club constructed with natural materials like walnut ceilings that have custom fixtures and memorabilia displays.

 

D.C. United Stadium – Washington, D.C.:

 

The D.C. United team has wanted to build a new soccer stadium to replace the RFK Stadium as its permanent home for many years. Plans were first made in 2005 but after substantial delays, an agreement was reached last year. The stadium is expected to have a seating capacity of 20,000 to 25,000 seats.

Renderings of the new D.C. United Stadium in the southwest quadrant of the city can be viewed on the team’s website. With expected completion for 2018, the stadium will also feature a 65,000-square-foot public plaza for game-day festivities and queuing at the main gate.

 

Orlando City Stadium – Orlando, Florida:

 

As the future home to Orlando City and Orlando Pride, this new soccer stadium is 100 percent privately funded and conveniently located in walking distance to the downtown bar district. The stadium is unique in that it will be have the first safe-standing supporter section in North America and a low-slanted roofline to intentionally amplify crowd noise.

When complete in 2017, the stadium will have a seating capacity of 25,500, an all-natural grass playing surface, and a field that’s sunken eight feet below the ground level to enhance the viewing experience. You can keep up with the construction progress via online camera stream, which updates every 15 minutes.

 

To learn more about new stadiums being built internationally and the innovations making them stand out, see the recent Sky Sports article that covers the next generation of soccer stadiums. Also, make sure to follow the VIATechnik blog to keep up with what’s happening in the AEC industry and key trends to watch.