Project Description
On Aug. 24, 2015, it was announced that the under-construction stadium in Atlanta designed by HOK will be called the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (the project had previously been referred to as the New Atlanta Stadium). The 1.9-million-square-foot stadium project, which broke ground in May 2014, will be the new home for the Atlanta Falcons football and Atlanta United soccer teams. The stadium opened in 2017.
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:
The design for the New Atlanta Stadium creates an exceptional game-day experience for fans and an iconic architectural landmark for the city.
Designed as a signature element rather than a utilitarian cover, the New Atlanta Stadium’s retractable roof provides a radical departure from the kinetic roofs of other sports facilities. Derived from the shape of a falcon’s wing, a reference to the Atlanta Falcons NFL team, the roof features eight triangular panels that wrap the stadium and move in unison along individual tracks. This allows the roof to open and close like a camera aperture. Exterior lighting can easily change the color of the transparent facade.
The stadium interior offers fans an immersive, technology-driven game-day experience. A wide variety of seating options provide fans with varying ticket prices, vantage points, degrees of service and amenities. A 360-degree HD halo video board built into the roof offers fans clear views from every seat. Other amenities include a technology lounge, a 100-yard bar and a floor-to-ceiling window offering views of downtown Atlanta.
Designed for flexibility, the stadium can be quickly reconfigured to accommodate games for Atlanta’s new Major League Soccer franchise. Retractable seats surrounding the field allow fans to get close to the action for both soccer and football. Digital media platforms throughout the stadium offer flexible opportunities for teams and sponsors to display targeted programmable content on game days.
In addition to serving as an anchor for the downtown tourist and entertainment district, the stadium will catalyze changes in neighborhoods surrounding the development. The project team’s focus on sustainable design, construction and operations extends into the community through the creation of urban farming and open recreation spaces.
HOK is collaborating on the design with tvsdesign, Goode Van Slyke Architecture and Stanley Beaman & Sears.