After NFL owners voted to approve the St Louis Rams’ relocation from Missouri to Los Angeles, California, HKS has unveiled plans for the new stadium, which will be located in Inglewood.
The relocation of the St Louis Rams to LA will see the NFL side return to its former home – the LA Memorial Coliseum – while work begins on the team’s new stadium, which will be completed in time for the start of the 2019 season.
The new, 3,100,000ft² multipurpose venue – located at the site of the previous Hollywood Park Race Track – is being designed by HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, and will form the cornerstone of a 298-acre NFL entertainment and multiuse district.
“From our initial conversations with [Rams owner] Stanley Kroenke and his staff, we knew this project was going to be a very special place that will change the face of sports and entertainment venues as we know them,” said Mark Williams, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, principal for HKS.
The unique climate, characteristics and culture of southern California and Los Angeles are the foundation of the stadium’s design. As a necessity for year-round events of all types, a transparent ETFE canopy covering nearly 19 acres was developed to maximize flexibility while maintaining an outdoor feeling and taking advantage of the site’s climatic conditions. The form was driven by a number of factors, including air movement, local geographic features, site elements and overall integration into the district. Under this canopy, all sides of the building remain open-air, allowing natural breezes to pass through the venue and encouraging all the public spaces to take advantage of the indoor/outdoor experiences common to the region and lifestyle of southern Californians.
With 70,000 fixed seats and the ability to expand up to 80,000 seats for major events such as the Super Bowl, Final Four tournaments, collegiate bowl games and award shows, the stadium will also be used to host smaller-scale events such as high school football games, soccer matches, motorsports, extreme sports, concerts and community events. The stadium will accommodate a total capacity in excess of 100,000 patrons when utilizing standing-room-only areas which are located throughout the venue.
January 22, 2016
Images: HKS
