Why do we design stadiums to feel so overcrowded?
Fostering cultures of support through open and interpretive design in mixed-use stadiums.
The Hyper-Optimization of Stadiums
An article from Trine University revealed that over 39.2% of NFL fans have witnessed violence, public intoxication, or disorderly conduct at stadiums. The intense highs and lows of the sports fuel erratic moods-as stadiums grow denser and more chaotic- which our conception of a stadium typology only amplifies this tension.
Overcrowded spaces with minimal staff contribute to a "culture of adrenaline"--one that's increasingly inaccessible for people with motor disabilities or sensory sensitivities. Often the only solution in stadiums is to isolate these individuals. The project aims to construct a stadium where all organizers and participants contribute to a 'culture of support' using open and interpretative modular kits.
Rethinking Flexibility; Cultivating Support
Parks are the antithesis of stadiums--public, serene, and flat spaces designed for rest. This project explores the tension between the cultures of stadiums and parks by merging them. Reimagining the stadium as a flexible, open-ended infrastructure for support and collective care.
In this transformed environment, what was once considered an "accommodation" becomes a preference. The open design principle allows people to sit however they like and find a space that suits their sensory or social needs. Interpretive modular units in mobile support carts equipped with flexible objects allow staff to interpret how they'd like to ensure safety, and also prepare for preferences that may have never been considered.
It enables comfort and care throughout the experience. Quiet zones surrounded by greenery offer respite for those with sensory sensitivities. A flat, legible terrain encourages ease in traffic flow. There's constant support from staff to ensure that the stadium does not become too overcrowded in a specific area. It becomes the architect's job not only to provide a code-compliant accessible space, but one that fosters accessibility by providing the tools and opportunity to generate a culture of support.
(From competitor's text)
The conversion of seating into large ramps is innovative and detailed at all scales. However, there were reservations, as this approach excessively transforms the experience of a university match, and seems more suited to a smaller stadium. The jury appreciated that the proposal takes a critical stance on the very nature of the stadium and of university sport as a "spectacle". They pointed out that this approach is particularly interesting because universal design should, by its very nature, challenge the status quo.
(From jury report)
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- PDF presentation
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- Axonometric Drawing
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- Presentation Panel Excerpt
