The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, redefines the sports venue experience with its groundbreaking design and sustainable features. Spanning nearly two million square feet and accommodating 80,000 fans, this multi-purpose stadium is most notably recognized for its innovative retractable roof, often referred to as the “Mercedes Benz Dome Atlanta”, and its commitment to sustainability.
Overcoming Design Challenges for an Iconic Atlanta Stadium
The challenge set for the design team was ambitious: to create a world-class, iconic, and high-performance stadium, complete with a unique retractable roof mechanism unlike any seen before. Furthermore, the design had to seamlessly integrate a massive 360-degree scoreboard without obstructing views of the sky – a crucial aspect for an open-air stadium experience when the “Mercedes Benz dome Atlanta” is retracted.
Buro Happold collaborated closely with HOK Architects to develop a revolutionary retractable roof concept. Roger Nickells, Partner at Buro Happold, emphasized the collaborative spirit, stating, “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.” This collaboration was key to achieving the stadium’s groundbreaking design.
The Innovative Retractable “Petal” Roof and Halo Board
The centerpiece of the “Mercedes Benz dome Atlanta” is its oval retractable oculus roof, a world-first design composed of eight “petals”. This unique mechanism allows the roof to open and close in under 10 minutes, creating a captivating pinwheel effect during operation. These cantilevered petals not only provide a dynamic opening and closing sequence but also frame the expansive view of the sky when open.
Complementing the roof is the stadium’s Halo Board, a 360-degree, high-definition LED video display. This innovative scoreboard ensures an immersive and theatrical experience for fans, regardless of whether the “Mercedes Benz dome Atlanta” is open or closed. The seamless integration of the Halo Board with the roof design is a testament to the project’s holistic engineering approach.
Sustainable Design and LEED Platinum Certification
Sustainability was a core principle in the design of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The stadium achieved LEED Platinum certification, the first professional sports venue in North America to reach this level of environmental performance. This commitment is reflected in several key design features:
- ETFE Facade: The stadium utilizes ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) cushions, a lightweight and transparent material, for the roof petals. This innovative choice minimizes the weight on the long-span cantilevered moving petals and allows natural daylight to illuminate the stadium. The eastern facade features a pioneering single-skin ETFE application, creating a “window to the city” with panoramic views of downtown Atlanta. This ETFE membrane also provides effective insulation, reducing unwanted heat gain.
- Water Management: An effective water capture and reuse system significantly reduces the stadium’s water consumption.
- Solar Energy: Over 4,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels generate substantial solar energy annually, enough to power approximately 10 Atlanta Falcons home games.
These sustainable initiatives, guided by a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment using LEEDv4 methodology, demonstrate a commitment to minimizing the stadium’s environmental footprint.
Architectural Vision and Enhanced Fan Experience
Beyond its engineering achievements, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium boasts an architecturally striking design. Eight wing-like facade panels pay homage to the Atlanta Falcons, contributing to the stadium’s distinctive sculptural form. The complex geometry of the facades, framed with lightweight steel, creates an iconic exterior that is both elegant and functional.
The collaborative effort of the project team has resulted in a holistic design that prioritizes both a unique fan experience and a visually impressive venue. The “Mercedes Benz dome Atlanta”, with its innovative long-span steel roof and pioneering ETFE facade, stands as a groundbreaking example of how elegant design and engineering excellence can create an iconic, fan-friendly, and high-performance building in the world of sports and entertainment.
