EDDIE IZZARD

HOK’s renovation of the University of
Washington’s Husky Stadium in Seattle,
US, included the use of native landscaping
in order to reduce water use at the venue
approximately US$23.5m over the past
five years from green initiatives related
to energy efficiency, renewable energy,
water conservation, mass transit, waste
reduction and recycling.
One of the solutions used is a group of
solar panels above the stadium’s catwalk,
which generates 350,000kW hours
of electricity per year – equivalent to
powering 34 average residential homes.
The EPA named MetLife Stadium the
NFL’s “Greenest Stadium,” and it has
consistently been recognised by the
Green Sports Alliance for its leadership in
advancing sustainability in sports venues.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium – due to
open in 2017 – will become the new home
of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Major
League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC.
Already billed as one of the world’s
most sustainable sports venues, it is
targeting LEED Platinum certification
and is designed to save 34 per cent more
energy and 45 per cent more water when
compared with a baseline design.
Rainwater captured on site will be used
for cooling towers and for irrigating the
landscape, including the edible gardens.
The stadium design team is currently
working with dozens of manufacturers
to advance transparency in ensuring
the sustainability of building materials:
manufacturers are required to provide
information about a product’s energy use,
waste generation, chemical makeup and
manufacturing processes.
Auburn Recreation and
Wellness Centre, Auburn
On a smaller scale, Auburn University’s
Recreation and Wellness Center pushes
the boundaries of design from both a
sport and a sustainable design perspective.
On track for LEED Gold certification
from the US Green Building Council, the
centre includes an innovative, figure-8
suspended track, open-air exercise
and fitness studio, daylight throughout
the facility and exterior courtyards for
reflection. It’s satisfying that sustainable
design strategies in campus recreation
centres like Auburn’s reflect students’
increasing requests for healthy buildings
– and it’s great to see the desire of
administrators to meet their demands.
The Green Sports Alliance
Earlier this year, HOK entered into a
partnership with the Green Sports Alliance,
an international non-profit organisation
which advises professional and collegiate
leagues, teams and venue operators about
strategies for sustainability.
The Alliance is helping sports organisations
understand how investment in
sustainability can lead to long-term savings.
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