News
Date: April 7 2007 Project: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
COMMERCE CITY, CO – In a place where earth meets the sky, HOK Sport will open its first Major League Soccer stadium today.
“From a design and usability perspective, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park sets a new standard for MLS-specific stadiums,” said Jim Walters, HOK Sport principal. “It’s intimate and it’s memorable – we think it’s the best soccer-specific stadium in the country.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park was designed to be uniquely of its place at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
“The Rapids wanted an intimate, European-like soccer stadium … something iconic to the state of Colorado,” said Jeff Spear, HOK Sport lead designer of the project. “The stadium brings Colorado imagery to life through architectural form.”
The stadium’s design was inspired by the tectonic plate shifting and patterning that birthed the Rocky Mountains millions of years ago. Layered metal-plate canopies covering both the east and west stands make a statement about the stadium’s place among the Rockies beyond. Similar references to indigenous geology can be found throughout the stadium, from the mountain-like massing of the east and west buildings to the patterns of the window mullions reminiscent of rock plates. This integration is taken beyond the stadium itself and into the 360-acre site by using native Colorado and alpine planting, allowing the site to blend effortlessly into the adjacent wildlife refuge.
The expandable, 18,000-seat bowl is a study in intimacy and atmosphere. Drawing on HOK Sport’s vast international soccer experience – such as London’s new Wembley Stadium and Emirates Stadium – the seating bowl was designed to position the fan as close as possible to the action with the greatest possible views.
“If you’re watching a Rapids game, it’s as if you’re literally in the action,” said Spear.
This is one trend sure to be continued in future MLS stadiums.
“A great, soccer specific stadium is about intimacy and atmosphere,” said Walters. “It’s about positioning as many spectators as close to the field as possible and designing a seating bowl and roof canopy that enhances the environment of the soccer match.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park locates two levels of private suites and press facilities in the west stand and locates all facilities to the perimeter of the stadium, allowing fans to sense the excitement of the action on the field even when they are not in their seats. A bridge between the open ends of the horseshoe-shaped bowl allows access completely around the main concourse and provides another vantage point for viewing the action on the field. The field itself incorporates a state-of-the-art undersoil field heating system. Air forced through drainage tiles allows grass to grow early in the season and keeps grass healthy through late in the fall. This not only ensures perfect field conditions, but it enables the stadium to be used for such events as lacrosse, high school sports and event concerts.
“Professional soccer in America is on the verge of explosion,” said Walters. “Our global soccer knowledge, coupled with our vast local experience in stadium design, is creating a new model for the way Americans experience the game.”
For further information please contact
Gina Leo at HOK Sport (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
Email media@hoksve.com