Dive Brief:
- In an update to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, project leaders for the $1.4 billion, 75,000-seat Mercedes-Benz stadium, future home of the Atlanta Falcons, said the hyped steel structure for the complex's retractable roof has been "quite the challenge," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
- Falcons owner Arthur Blank said that although the target opening date for the stadium had to be pushed back three months to June 1, 2017, it is still on track to host the complete Falcons 2017-2018 NFL season.
- However, Blank said the facility would not be completed in time for Major League Soccer team Atlanta United’s first several matches.
Dive Insight:
The stadium project has drawn significant attention, primarily because of its roof design. According to project renderings, the roof features eight "petals," which can open within eight minutes in a style reminiscent of a camera lens aperture.
Project officials said the stadium will also feature the world’s largest video board, at 58 feet tall and 1,100 linear feet in diameter, built into the roof opening and surrounding the field.
GWCCA board members are anxious to see the roof in action, and project leaders, including Wayne Wadsworth — principal in charge of the general contractor Holder Hunt Russell Moody joint venture — told them that they’ll be able to test the complete roof no later than the end of the first quarter of 2017.
The roof was designed by 360 Architecture, with inspiration and expertise from Buro Happold Consulting Engineers PC, kinetic architecture consultant Hoberman Associates and mechanical-electrical-plumbing engineer WSP.
