Mercedes-Benz Stadium
“Less is only more where more is no good.” - Frank Lloyd Wright
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a spectacle and successor to the legendary Georgia Dome is a multi-purpose stadium stands tall in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Being an architectural icon for the city, it is a stadium unlike any other with second to none fan experience.
The stadium hosts a range of events such as National Football League and Major League Soccer games and concerts. Owned by the state government of Georgia through the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, its total cost of construction was estimated at US$1.6 billion.
Design
The Roof
The stadium’s signature feature is its retractable roof which features a “pinwheel” consisting of eight translucent, triangular 1,600-ton panels. Each of the eight panels operates on two straight, parallel rails; one rail is responsible for moving the panel while the other rail stabilizes the panel. Closing the roof takes lesser time as compared to opening the roof, since the roof has to disengage the seals at the start of the opening procedure and slow down towards the end to prevent the panels from getting derailed. When opened, the panels are designed to create the illusion of a Falcon’s wings.
As per Architect Bill Johnson the circular opening in the roof was inspired by the Roman Pantheon. The roof was designed to be made of a clear, lightweight polymer material that can adjust its opacity to control light, with most of the exterior being clear polymer or glass to allow views to the outside.
The middle foyer and upper bowl were eliminated in the east end zone to allow for an unobstructed view of the skyline. The stadium’s roof can be kept open under light precipitation, as the electrical systems for all video boards in the stadium are outdoor-rated and the field has a drainage system. With a built-up area of two million sq. ft., the stadium is designed to be easily reconfigured to accommodate NFL and MSL games.
Halo Board
A 360 degree, high definition halo video board adorns the perimeter of the retractable roof which creates a theatre-in-the-round experience. Measuring 58-by1,100-foot (18 by 335 m), it’s the longest video board in any stadium made up of more than 37 million LEDs. The halo board provides a 63,000 sq. ft. canvas on which digital media can be presented on one continuous surface in ways previously never conceived of. The halo display of the stadium was designed by Daktronics.
Materials Used
Construction of the roof requires 135,000ft² of triple-layered ETFE pillows, an air inflation system and 165,000ft² of vertical single-layered ETFE film. ETFE was chosen for the roof due to its durability, aesthetic and sustainability.
The ETFE film is also UV-transparent, protecting it from being structurally weakened or discoloured from exposure to UV. The surface of the film is inert in nature, allowing it to resist airborne pollutants, dust and chemicals.
Interior The stadium also includes features specific for college football use. It opened with two oversized locker rooms, each capable of housing 100 players, reflecting the much larger size of college football rosters compared to those of the NFL. However, the stadium did not initially include another feature important in that context—staircases connecting the seats to the field, making it difficult for bands to enter the field. It also has a soccer-specific configuration, with retractable lower bowl seats to widen the field, and mechanized curtains that limit the capacity to about 42,500.
The stadium incorporates contemporary art into its interior and exterior design, with over 180 commissioned works, including pieces by Nari Ward, Steven and William Ladd. The centerpiece of the art collection is Gábor Miklós Szőke’s stainless steel sculpture. The Atlanta Falcon, which the artist said is the largest freestanding bird sculpture in the world. The falcon, perched atop a 13 ft. (4.0 m) tall bronze football, is 41 ft. (12 m) high with a wingspan of 70 ft. (21 m). The sculpture stands in front of the stadium, weighs over 73,000 pounds (33,000 kg), and is as tall as a four-story building.
Added Construction
Hoping to address concerns of overcrowding at the areas of the stadium, stadium officials announced that they plan to add several more doors to the stadium. Overcrowding and congestion was a recurrent concern and complaint from fans attending major events during the stadium’s first year of operation.
Former Name New Atlanta Stadium | Architect HOK 360 | Architecture Size 1,900,000 sq. ft. | Structural Engineer BuroHappold Engineering/ Hoberman
Construction Period 2014-2017 | Construction Cost US$1.6 billion (Projected)
Sustainability
LEED Platinum Certification
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the first professional sports venue in the country to receive a LEED Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. To put this achievement in context, a building needs 40 points to be LEED-certified, at least 60 points for a Gold LEED rating and a minimum of 80 points for Platinum status. Mercedes-Benz Stadium received 88 points.Stormwater Management
The venue’s designers prioritized stormwater management because the neighboring community is prone to flooding. To lower the flood risk, a cistern and a stormwater vault on-site have the combined capacity to hold over 2,000,000 gallons of stormwater. The stormwater is later used for irrigation and cooling
Water Conservation: beyond Stormwater Management
Due to its water conservation strategies, the venue lowered water use by 47%. Water-efficient fixtures such as high-efficiency toilets and waterless urinals are a significant part of the water conservation strategy. Landscaping with drought-resistant plants and installing water-efficient HVAC systems are other ways the stadium conserves water.Stadium Visitors Recycle
Fans are encouraged to bring aluminum cans and bottles to the stadium for recycling. The stadium is partnering with Recycle for Good to recycle enough aluminum cans and bottles to fund a Habitat for Humanity House in Atlanta. Recycling bins are located at two gates and throughout the venue.
References
» https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/31/mercedes-benz-stadium-atlanta-georgia-hok-american-football-nfl-retractable-roof-super-bowl-liii/
» http://stadiumdb.com/designs/usa/new_falcons_stadium2
» https://www.hok.com/projects/view/mercedes-benz-stadium/
» https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/mercedes-benzstadium-atlanta-georgia/
By -
Tuhina Chatterjee, Associate Editor Civil Engineering and Construction Review
