The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta stands as a groundbreaking multi-purpose venue, home to the Atlanta Falcons NFL team and Atlanta United MLS team. Spanning nearly two million square feet, this iconic stadium boasts an impressive seating capacity of approximately 80,000, setting a new benchmark for long-span roof structures and fan experience in sports arenas.
Innovative Retractable Roof: An Engineering Marvel
A defining feature of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is its world-first oval retractable oculus roof. This complex roof structure is composed of eight petal-like sections that operate in unison, creating a captivating opening and closing sequence reminiscent of a camera shutter. This unique design not only provides an open-air experience but also offers unobstructed views of the sky, enhancing the stadium’s atmosphere.
Setting New Standards for Stadium Design and Sustainability
The challenge was to create a world-class, high-performance stadium with an innovative retractable roof mechanism, integrating a large scoreboard without compromising the open sky views. Buro Happold collaborated closely with HOK Architects to develop a retractable roof concept that achieved both uniqueness and optimal spectator visibility of the 360-degree “halo” scoreboard.
“Buro Happold worked closely with architect HOK to develop a retractable roof concept that was not only unique but also provided views to a large 360 degree “halo” scoreboard to every spectator.”
Roger Nickells, Partner
The Halo Board, a 360° high-definition LED video display, is a central element of the fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It ensures a rich, immersive, and theatrical atmosphere for every event, regardless of roof position.
Solution: A Symphony of Engineering and Architectural Vision
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s retractable roof, an engineering masterpiece, opens or closes in under 10 minutes. This is achieved through the movement of eight cantilevered “petals,” creating a visually stunning pinwheel effect during operation. Furthermore, eight wing-like facade panels serve as an architectural tribute to the Atlanta Falcons, defining the stadium’s distinctive and sculptural form.
The design incorporates advanced materials like ETFE cushions, a lightweight and transparent inflated material. These ETFE cushions minimize the load on the long-span cantilevered moving petals, crucial for the roof’s smooth operation. When open, the oval roof aperture extends across the field, offering city views and allowing natural daylight to illuminate the events below.
The stadium’s facades showcase complex geometry framed with lightweight steel, contributing to its iconic exterior. The eastern facade features a pioneering single-skin ETFE application, creating a “window to the city” with panoramic views of downtown Atlanta. This innovative use of single-skin ETFE membrane provides effective insulation, regulating temperature within the venue.
Sustainability was a core design principle, culminating in Mercedes-Benz Stadium becoming the first LEED Platinum certified professional sports venue in North America. A comprehensive carbon footprint analysis, guided by LEEDv4 methodology, informed material selection. Key sustainability features include an efficient water capture and reuse system and over 4,000 photovoltaic panels. These solar panels generate enough energy annually to power ten Atlanta Falcons home games, showcasing a significant commitment to renewable energy.
Value: An Iconic Venue and Enhanced Fan Experience
The collaborative efforts of the project team have resulted in a holistic design that prioritizes both an unparalleled fan experience and a visually striking venue for major sports and entertainment events. With its groundbreaking long-span steel roof and the nation’s first single-skin ETFE facade, Mercedes-Benz Stadium exemplifies how elegant design can create an iconic, fan-friendly, and high-performance building in the sports and entertainment sector. This venue is not just a stadium; it’s a landmark that enhances Atlanta’s global profile.
