The Mercedes Benz Stadium is one of the more ambitious undertakings in every aspect imagined in relation to its creation. The client’s charge was to have the most innovative, iconic, technically superior facility of its time and years to come. A facility to eclipse many before it. In complexity, in costs, in volume, in retractable roof area, in seat projection sight lines, in size of the video screen, VIP restaurants, and in game days becoming game week-end experiences.
The nucleus and encouragement for the lead design architect came from the oculus of the Pantheon, along with over-flapping wings like a falcon to surround it. It was to push the design community’s imagination of what a stadium could be and look like. It needed sustainability in how it invited in the light and forced air movement up and down its exterior skin. As a home to a national football franchise, it needed to look intimidating and to look like a fortress upon its approach.
This became the charge of the lead design firm who selected 3 local architects to significantly help as local lead firms in its creation. One of these firms became GVSA, chosen to contribute design excellence, responsiveness, and quality. It became our role to design and document 400,000 square feet of the two lowest and largest levels of the stadium termed, Event levels. GVSA was also assigned the task to program and design two additional components that would lend to be more leadership oriented. The Falcon’s Corporate Offices to be located in the stadium and the on-site structured Parking Deck. This leadership would require GVSA the opportunity to work directly and solely as prime architects with the Falcon’s organization.