The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group have unveiled the design of the State’s new multipurpose stadium in Minneapolis, a major milestone in getting the $975 million stadium built on time and on budget.The design package will now be submitted to the Minneapolis Stadium Implementation Committee and the City of Minneapolis for review.
Described as an authentic structure influenced by its Minnesota location, the new stadium exhibits a bold, progressive design that combines efficient functionality with stunning architecture. With a soaring prow, the largest transparent roof in the world, and operable doors that open to the downtown skyline, the facility’s openness and sleek geometric exterior will make it unlike any other stadium in the country.
“The design reflects the true story of the Minnesota community with its international style driven by climatic response and energy conservation,” said Bryan Trubey, design principal, HKS Sports & Entertainment Group. “The interior volume makes it the most versatile, multi?use building in the country with the most advanced digital age technology.”
Throughout the design process, HKS identified four major influencers that shaped the functional form and architecture of the building: climate, geography, history of important civic structures and technology. The recent pattern of modern and progressive physical form in Minnesota will continue with this facility, beginning with the roof. With ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) on the roof’s southern half, visitors will feel as if they are sitting outside without being exposed to the elements. Sustainable characteristics will be utilized to produce lower operating costs in winter and summer, and the stadium’s sloped roof will be the most efficient roof structure in the nation, a remarkable engineering feat considering the snow?loading requirements with Minnesota’s climate.
The new stadium will be capable of hosting more events than any other large stadium in the world. Despite its versatility, the stadium’s football configuration puts the fans closer to the field than in any other NFL stadium.
“Tonight’s unveiling showcases a bold, iconic design delivered by HKS,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. “Not only is this facility unique to Minnesota, but the stadium will also provide Vikings fans with the best game?day experience in the NFL, which has always been our goal.”
“Vikings fans will be closer to the action than any stadium in the country,” said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. “The combination of operable end walls with a clear roof and large windows throughout the facility will give fans the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: an outdoor feel with protection from the elements.”
Just as important as the experience for all users of the stadium is the building’s impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. Following Monday’s design presentation, the MSFA voted unanimously to approve the design and submit the details of the stadium to the Minneapolis Stadium Implementation Committee and the City of Minneapolis for review.
“We wanted a design that encourages a connection into the neighborhoods, that will spur economic development and that will act as a destination rather than a barrier,” said Michele Kelm?Helgen, Chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “The design, the amount of glass and light and the transparency makes this an iconic building that will attract a Super Bowl, NCAA basketball and baseball tournaments, world class concerts and other great events. The benefits to the state’s economy will be incredible.”
Groundbreaking for the new 65,000?seat stadium will take place in October 2013, and demolition of the Metrodome will begin early in 2014. The new stadium is scheduled to be open in time for the Vikings 2016 season.
“We look forward to bringing this wonderful design to life and beginning construction in a few short months,” said John Wood, senior vice president at Mortenson Construction, the stadium builder. “This stadium will be built for Minnesota by Minnesotans, and it will create an estimated 7,500 construction? related jobs and deliver substantial business opportunities for hundreds of local subcontractors and suppliers.”
The Building Team also includes engineer Thornton Tomasetti and construction manager Mortenson.
Facility facts at a glance:
-
Approximately 1.6 million square feet.
-
65,000 seats, including some of the closest in the NFL; expandable to 73,000 for a Super Bowl.
-
Up to 125 suites and 7,500 club seats, including suites and clubs at the field level, some of which will put fans closer to the sideline than in any other NFL stadium.
-
Seven levels, including two general admission concourses with 360?degree circulation and various views into the bowl.
-
Highest quality HD video boards in the NFL located in both the east and west end zones and video ribbon boards throughout the interior of the seating bowl.
-
Over 1,200 HD flat screen televisions throughout the concourse for all fans in attendance to view the game.
-
Capability to host more events than any other large stadium in the world, including NFL football and a Super Bowl, MLS soccer, NCAA basketball and baseball, high school sporting events, motocross, concerts, conventions, marching band competitions.
-
Access points to the city and stadium site from all four sides of the stadium.
-
Large west plaza (over two acres in size) for game day, non?game day and seasonal public gatherings as a connection to the downtown corridor.
-
Lightest and most efficient roof structure in the nation for a major new stadium, which will include a single large steel super truss providing primary support for the main long span roof.
-
Largest clear ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof in the world and the first on a stadium in the nation, allowing connection to the outdoors from a climate?controlled environment.
-
Largest glass pivoting doors in the world that will open to the west plaza.
-
Application for LEED?certified status.
-
Parking ramps with skyways from the north and south sides of the stadium and connections from the facility to the downtown skyway system.
(http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-MSFA-and-HKS-Group-Unveil-New-Multi-Purpose-Stadium-Design/a22f251d-0e66-4c42-aab3-a32269114660)
Related Stories
Building Technology | Jun 18, 2024
Could ‘smart’ building facades heat and cool buildings?
A promising research project looks at the possibilities for thermoelectric systems to thermally condition buildings, writes Mahsa Farid Mohajer, Sustainable Building Analyst with Stantec.
University Buildings | Jun 18, 2024
UC Riverside’s new School of Medicine building supports team-based learning, showcases passive design strategies
The University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine has opened the 94,576-sf, five-floor Education Building II (EDII). Created by the design-build team of CO Architects and Hensel Phelps, the medical school’s new home supports team-based student learning, offers social spaces, and provides departmental offices for faculty and staff.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 18, 2024
A healthcare simulation technology consultant can save time, money, and headaches
As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, healthcare simulation is playing an increasingly vital role in the skill development, compliance, and continuing education of the clinical workforce.
Mass Timber | Jun 17, 2024
British Columbia hospital features mass timber community hall
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project in Duncan, British Columbia, features an expansive community hall featuring mass timber construction. The hall, designed to promote social interaction and connection to give patients, families, and staff a warm and welcoming environment, connects a Diagnostic and Treatment (“D&T”) Block and Inpatient Tower.
Concrete Technology | Jun 17, 2024
MIT researchers are working on a way to use concrete as an electric battery
Researchers at MIT have developed a concrete mixture that can store electrical energy. The researchers say the mixture of water, cement, and carbon black could be used for building foundations and street paving.
Codes and Standards | Jun 17, 2024
Federal government releases national definition of a zero emissions building
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new national definition of a zero emissions building. The definition is intended to provide industry guidance to support new and existing commercial and residential buildings to move towards zero emissions across the entire building sector, DOE says.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 14, 2024
AEC inspections are the key to financially viable office to residential adaptive reuse projects
About a year ago our industry was abuzz with an idea that seemed like a one-shot miracle cure for both the shockingly high rate of office vacancies and the worsening housing shortage. The seemingly simple idea of converting empty office buildings to multifamily residential seemed like an easy and elegant solution. However, in the intervening months we’ve seen only a handful of these conversions, despite near universal enthusiasm for the concept.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 13, 2024
Top 10 trends in the hospital facilities market
BD+C evaluated more than a dozen of the nation's most prominent hospital construction projects to identify trends that are driving hospital design and construction in the $67 billion healthcare sector. Here’s what we found.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 13, 2024
4 ways to transform old buildings into modern assets
As cities grow, their office inventories remain largely stagnant. Yet despite changes to the market—including the impact of hybrid work—opportunities still exist. Enter: “Midlife Metamorphosis.”
Affordable Housing | Jun 12, 2024
Studio Libeskind designs 190 affordable housing apartments for seniors
In Brooklyn, New York, the recently opened Atrium at Sumner offers 132,418 sf of affordable housing for seniors. The $132 million project includes 190 apartments—132 of them available to senior households earning below or at 50% of the area median income and 57 units available to formerly homeless seniors.
