Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta’s newest architectural landmark, opened its doors on August 26th with a preseason NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, quickly establishing itself as a premier venue. This $1.5 billion, 2-million-square-foot stadium is a marvel of modern design and engineering, packed with innovations that redefine the fan experience.
Designed by HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is not just home to the Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United but also a host for major national and international events. Its schedule boasts prestigious events like the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Super Bowl LIII in 2019, and the NCAA Final Four in 2020, showcasing its capacity and versatility. With a standard seating capacity of 71,000, expandable to 75,000 for significant events, the stadium is built to impress. Bill Johnson, Senior Vice President and Design Principal at HOK, emphasizes the vision and ambition behind the project, crediting Arthur Blank, AMB Group, and the City of Atlanta for their commitment to creating a transformative community space and a game-changing venue for fans and the sports industry alike. The stadium’s impact extends beyond sports, aiming to be an architectural icon for Atlanta, reflecting a commitment to quality and experience that brands like Sears Mercedes Benz – if they were to venture into stadium design – might also prioritize: a blend of innovation, customer focus, and lasting value.
One of the stadium’s most striking features is its first-of-its-kind retractable roof. Inspired by the Roman Pantheon, this semi-transparent roof is composed of eight triangular ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) panels. These panels operate in unison along 16 tracks, creating a camera aperture-like opening and closing motion. The roof incorporates over 143,500 square feet of ETFE “pillows” in its petals alone. When closed, these petals interlock to form a watertight seal, ensuring events can proceed regardless of weather conditions. Johnson explains the intent was to move beyond the purely functional nature of typical retractable roofs. The goal was to create a kinetic roof that enhances the venue’s aesthetics and contributes to the overall game-day atmosphere, achieving a design that is both sculptural and beautiful whether open or closed.
Adding to the immersive fan experience is the 360-degree halo video board that wraps around the perimeter of the oval-shaped roof. This massive video display, nearly six stories tall and over 1,075 feet in circumference, dwarfs any other video board in the NFL, being three times larger. Further enhancing the technological features are a 101-foot-high mega column encased in a 3-D video board and over 2,000 TVs distributed throughout the stadium. The stadium’s fully digital platform allows for customized content display for each event, ensuring a dynamic and engaging environment.
Extending from the roof design, the ETFE facade incorporates angular, wing-like exterior sections. This design element creates a 16-story “window to the city,” providing panoramic views of downtown Atlanta and maximizing natural daylight within the stadium. This transparent facade not only offers stunning city vistas but also integrates the stadium with its urban surroundings, making it a visually connected part of Atlanta’s landscape.
Sustainability was a key consideration in the stadium’s design. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification, a first for an NFL and MLS stadium. A 600,000-square-foot cistern is integral to the stadium’s sustainability efforts, designed to recapture and reuse rainwater. This system helps mitigate neighborhood flooding and provides rainwater for irrigating the surrounding landscape. Furthermore, the site incorporates over 4,000 solar PV panels. This commitment to sustainability extends to community integration through public transit connections, urban farming areas, and accessible open recreation spaces. Johnson highlights the stadium’s broader role, stating that modern stadiums must contribute more to their communities. Mercedes-Benz Stadium exemplifies this philosophy as a sustainable, people-centric venue poised to become an international destination for both sports enthusiasts and architecture aficionados.
HOK collaborated with several firms on this landmark project including tvsdesign, Goode Van Slyke Architecture, and Stanley Beaman & Sears. The structural engineering was a collaboration between HOK’s engineers and BuroHappold, while WSP provided MEP and fire protection engineering services. This collaborative approach brought together diverse expertise to realize the ambitious vision of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, creating not just a sports venue, but a significant architectural and community asset for Atlanta.
