Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, US, is the new home of the NFL Falcons. Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The new stadium features a unique retractable roof shaped in the form of a falcon. Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Mercedes-Benz stadium features the world’s biggest 3600 HD video halo boards for sports. Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a new 71,000-seat stadium built in Atlanta, Georgia, US. The new stadium hosts sporting events such as National Football League and Major League Soccer games, and concerts.

Developed by Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the $1.5bn new stadium replaced the Georgia Dome as the NFL Falcons’ new home.

Construction began in May 2014 and the stadium was inaugurated in August 2017.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium design details

With a built-up area of two million square feet, the stadium is designed to be easily reconfigured to accommodate NFL and MSL games.

It features a retractable roof in the shape of a camera lens, which can be opened in less than ten minutes. The design of the roof is inspired by the shape of a falcon’s wing and consists of three-layered ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cushions cantilevered on eight 1,600t retractable ‘petals’.

The roof opens to allow natural sunlight to enter the stadium and closes to protect players and the audience during adverse weather conditions. Construction of the roof entered the final phase in May 2018. The roof can be opened and closed in 12 minutes with the push of a button.

The stadium’s façade features ETFE materials, including a single ETFE skin supported by a cable net system.

Materials used

Construction of the roof requires 135,000ft² of triple-layered ETFE pillows, an air inflation system and 165,000ft² of vertical single-layered ETFE film. ETFE was chosen for the roof due to its durability, aesthetic and sustainability.

The ETFE film is also UV-transparent, protecting it from being structurally weakened or discoloured from exposure to UV. The surface of the film is inert in nature, allowing it to resist airborne pollutants, dust and chemicals.

Facilities and technology used at the new stadium

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz stadium features a variety of seating options, including 190 luxury suites and 7,600 club seats. The capacity is expandable up to 83,000 seats based on the requirement. The stadium also features 24 bars and restaurants, a technology lounge and a 100-yard bar.

The stadium features digital media platforms that include the world’s largest 360° HD video halo board, which provides targeted programmable content to fans.

The halo board features an LED display spanning 64,000ft². With a height of 58ft and a circumference of 1,075ft, the board provides supplementary camera views and digital content for fans.

In addition to the halo display, the stadium features 12 other LED displays, which provide live video and replays in club areas and perimeter displays, as well as energy monitoring equipment and energy-efficient glazing.

Contractors involved

CAA ICON acted as the project manager during the pre-construction phase of the project.

The stadium was designed by tvsDesign in collaboration with HOK, Goode Van Slyke Architecture and Stanley Beaman & Sears, while Buro Happold provided engineering services.

The HHRM joint venture (JV) was awarded a contract to manage the construction of the stadium. The JV comprised of Holder Construction Co., Hunt Construction Group, H.J. Russell & Co. and C.D. Moody Construction Co. AECOM Hunt served as construction manager in the JV.

Canam Structures was responsible for providing products and services, including designing assistance, BIM management, in-house detailing and engineering, construction, steel fabrication and erection.

Sykes Consulting served as structural engineer, while Kimley-Horn and Associates, Long Engineering, and Skyline Eng served as civil engineer for the development of the project.

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services was the geotechnical engineer for the project.

HGOR provided design services for landscaping, pedestrian routes and signage. Birdair is responsible for the roof system and facade of the stadium.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is providing building services, specialist lighting design and sustainability consultancy services for the project.

The halo display of the stadium was designed by Daktronics. Heery is responsible for providing construction owner representative services. Reeves Young provided multiple heavy civil services for the project.

Georgia Power supplied nearly 4,000 solar panels for the development of the project.

Sustainable features of Mercedes-Benz stadium

The stadium received a LEED platinum rating from the US Green Building Council. The stadium features a number of sustainable features, including high-efficiency water fixtures that reduce sanitary water consumption by 40%.

LED lighting reduces the stadium’s energy and maintenance costs. In addition, light fittings are used as wayfinding devices and colour-changing LEDs are used to illuminate the stadium’s façade.