Six World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification

In conjunction with the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that six World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification, including South America’s largest stadium, Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Originally built and used for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the LEED Silver Maracanã stadium is once again reprising its role by playing host for the final game of the 2014 World Cup. Maracanã will also serve as a major sporting venue for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as major sporting events.

The other LEED-certified stadiums for the 2014 FIFA World Cup include Castelao Arena in Fortaleza (LEED Certified), Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador (LEED Silver), Mineirão in Belo Horizonte (LEED Silver), Arena da Amazônia in Manaus (LEED Silver) and Arena Multiuso in Salvador (LEED Silver).

“Even as the world's top teams take the field, the venues themselves are also in the spotlight, demonstrating not only the worldwide applicability and adaptability of the LEED green building rating system, but also Brazil’s leadership position at the forefront of the movement to high-performing green buildings,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “FIFA and the Government of Brazil have shown great leadership and commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of these World Cup facilities and for making them a showcase of sustainable construction for the international community.”

Felipe Faria, managing director of Green Building Council Brasil, noted that the Brazilian construction firm responsible for the certification of Maracanã, Odebrecht, pushed the boundaries of sustainable innovation, including features such as photovoltaic panels on the roof, rainwater reservoirs and selective collection for waste.

“Just over 60 years from its completion for the 1950 World Cup, Maracanã is once again making history,” said Faria. “Indeed, the entire country of Brazil is making history with these LEED stadiums. We are grateful for the leadership demonstrated by the professionals in the marketplace and applaud their achievements. The many green elements incorporated into these stadiums will reduce the environmental impact of the games on Brazil from improved transit access to lower water and energy consumption.”

Each stadium incorporated multiple sustainable features that contributed to its LEED certification. For example, Castelao Arena features a 67.6 percent reduction in drinkable water consumption, a 12.7 percent reduction in annual energy consumption and a 97 percent of the project waste was diverted from the landfill. Arena Fonte Nova, meanwhile, used 20 percent of its building materials made from recycled content, diverted 75 percent of the project’s construction waste from the landfill and purchased 35 percent of its power from renewable sources like solar and wind.

Brazil is among the top five countries worldwide with LEED-certified projects, encompassing nearly 3 million gross square meters (GSM) of LEED-certified space.

To date, project teams in more than 150 countries and territories have implemented LEED in their building projects, taking advantage of LEED’s framework to create structures that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, provide healthier indoor environments for the people in the buildings and lower utility bills for building owners through reduced energy and water use.

The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.

NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars release conceptual designs for its ‘stadium of the future’

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 22, 2023

NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars release conceptual designs for ‘stadium of the future’

Designed by HOK, the Stadium of the Future intends to meet the evolving needs of all stadium stakeholders—which include the Jaguars, the annual Florida-Georgia college football game, the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, international sporting events, music festivals and tours, and the thousands of fans and guests who attend each event.

Enmarket Arena Savannah, Georgia, Perkins&Will, Goode Van Slyke Photo Jonathan Hillyer

Arenas | Jun 14, 2023

A multipurpose arena helps revitalize a historic African American community in Georgia

In Savannah, Ga., Enmarket Arena, a multipurpose arena that opened last year, has helped revitalize the city’s historic Canal District—home to a largely African American community that has been historically separated from the rest of downtown.

Climate Pledge Arena, in Seattle, seeks to be most progressive, responsible, and sustainable arena in the world.

Arenas | Jun 14, 2023

How Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena is conserving water

More than 700 water closets, urinals, flushometers, and faucets combine to save water at the 18,300-person Climate Pledge Arena, in Seattle.

Architects | Jun 6, 2023

Taking storytelling to a new level in building design, with Gensler's Bob Weis and Andy Cohen

Bob Weis, formerly the head of Disney Imagineering, was recently hired by Gensler as its Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. He joins the firm's co-CEO Andy Cohen to discuss how Gensler will focus on storytelling to connect people to its projects.

Arenas | May 18, 2023

How can we reimagine live sports experiences?

A Gensler survey finds what sports fans' experiences have been like returning to arenas, and their expectations going forward.

Architects | Apr 6, 2023

Design for belonging: An introduction to inclusive design

The foundation of modern, formalized inclusive design can be traced back to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The movement has developed beyond the simple rules outlined by ADA regulations resulting in features like mothers’ rooms, prayer rooms, and inclusive restrooms.

University of St. Thomas Lee and Penny Anderson Arena Renderings courtesy Ryan Companies, Crawford Architects 2023_0111 - Hockey_Final_V3.jpg

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 30, 2023

New University of St. Thomas sports arena will support school's move to Division I athletics

The University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn., last year became the first Division III institution in the modern NCAA to transition directly to Division I. Plans for a new multipurpose sports arena on campus will support that move.

Georgia State University Convocation Center, by Perkins&Will Photo by James Steinkamp

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 15, 2023

Georgia State University Convocation Center revitalizes long-neglected Atlanta neighborhood

Georgia State University’s new Convocation Center doubles the arena it replaces and is expected to give a shot in the arm to a long-neglected Atlanta neighborhood. The new 200,000 sf multi-use venue in the Summerhill area of Atlanta is the new home for the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and will also be used for large-scale academic and community events.

Arenas | Feb 23, 2023

Using data to design the sports venue of the future

Former video game developer Abe Stein and HOK's Bill Johnson discuss how to use data to design stadiums and arenas that keep fans engaged and eager to return.

Currently Reading

Six World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification

Tags

Standards | Jun 26, 2023

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 22, 2023

Arenas | Jun 14, 2023

Arenas | Jun 14, 2023

Architects | Jun 6, 2023

Arenas | May 18, 2023

Architects | Apr 6, 2023

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 30, 2023

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 15, 2023

Arenas | Feb 23, 2023

Most Popular Content

Magazine Subscription

Get our Newsletters

Follow BD+C: