Thinking about expanding your present sports stadium?
Looking to boost turnover by turning your single function stadium to a multipurpose sports venue? Whatever your aim, expert stadium engineers have the skills to convert visions into a profitable company venture.
In today’s complex commercial climate, stadia operators and owners are increasingly looking to find ways to present their sports site the competitive advantage. But what’s the best way to enhance your organization? Do you want a multipurpose stadium that can support everything from soccer matches to rock concerts, or even a single purpose arena dedicated to a particular sport? If you were going with the former, take a look at the Marvel stadium, which is used as a venue which holds various types of sports, as well as acting as a conference centre in the Melbourne city area. Or one of the stadiums we will mention in just a second.
As some engineers can be sports lovers, we also love that there is more to good stadium design than just the nuts and bolts. That’s the reason why we pioneered world first study into how stadium design can generate atmosphere within a sports stadium. This proved it is possible to engineer an unrivalled experience for spectators, and in doing so provide real commercial advantages for our clients.
This roundup of our top 5 jobs demonstrates that, when it comes to world class stadium design, some engineering firms have an impressive track record.
Single purpose stadium: Mercedes Benz Stadium
This 190,000m², 80,000-seat sports stadium is crowned with an advanced oculus roof that opens and shuts as a camera shutter. A daring alternative to the typical bi-panel structure, this roof presented our engineers with many unique challenges — not least the remarkable structural optimisation required to encourage its enormous weight — but its striking design succeeds in securing the scene as a new icon for Atlanta.
Multipurpose scene: Tottenham Hotspur Football Ground
Built on the footprint of this legendary White Hart Lane football ground, this UEFA/FIFA compliant stadium is fine-tuned to generate and unbelievable experience for soccer fans. Then, in the flick of a switch, the football pitch divides three ways and slides beneath the south stand, transforming the stadium into a unique venue for NFL games, corporate events, as well as rock concerts.
Stadium expansion: Sheikh Zayed National Stadium
The capacity of this stadium was recently improved to 45,000, and the firm that handled the construction updated the pitch light in accord with modern broadcasting requirements, and delivered a fully retractable glossy facade. This ambitious refurbishment job was delivered to budget, and on time for one of the most important stadium events ever hosted; the World Cup kick off which was in December 2009.
Iconic stadium design: Aviva Stadium
Home to the the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Football Association of Ireland, the struggle for the stadium engineers involved was to deliver a sports place that was able to house 50,000 passionate fans while keeping within the existing tight footprint of the famed Lansdowne Road website.
World class stadium: London 2012 Olympic Stadium
This dedicated sports place is changed into the world’s finest multipurpose sports and entertainment venue. By incorporating features like substantial new spectator lodging, movable seating and a modified bowl, the arena is currently capable of catering for over 20 distinct sports. It’s also the new home of premiership football club West Ham United.
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What you might not realise, however, is that a lot of thought are put behind the building of these stadiums. Below are two of the most fundamental component of any stadium construction.
Plumbing Is Critical
One of engineering companies in Australia that is known for playing a part in stadium constructions has said that people should understand that stadiums are large projects — something which could require two to four decades instead of only few months.
Engineering firms also plays a part in these constructions in the sense of manufacturing the components needed. For example, the pipes needed in a stadium is a massive system which could be as big as hospitals or laboratories but usually has a less complicated system. One of the main differences between a stadium with other facilities is the adaptation of different toilet facilities. For example, in labs or hospitals, people do not usually use the restroom at the same time. In a sporting institutions, more than 20 people could be using the showers at a single time especially if there is a match. The obstacle for stadium plumbing, as it has been recently discovered, is the drainage lines.
It has been said that almost half of the people who comes to a stadium would go to the restroom within a 30 minutes time frame. This proves the point that water supply and drainage is a critical component of a stadium.
Energy Analysis Is Essential
Energy infrastructure management is another critical project that needed to be done to any world-class stadium. An emergency power plant is needed, in case the main one is dysfunctional during a major event. In terms of heating unit, the HVAC systems gives low temperature heated water at 36 degrees F, air conditioning at 45 degrees F and hot water heating at 200 degrees F to numerous units of air conditioning systems that provide 600,000 cfm of ventilated and air-conditioned surroundings for the parts of the stadium that need it.
Engineers, as it has been said, deliver organisation to any stadium project. Their job is to become involved and deliver according to schedules prior to the opening day.