The newly opened $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta earned LEED Platinum certification and is one of the latest sports venues to showcase sustainability.
Earning 88 out of a potential 110 points, the facility is the first sports arena to achieve the Platinum rating. Stadiums and arenas have become showcases for green design, with owners finding that they are cheaper to operate and generate positive publicity for their environmental responsibility.
The Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, home of the Sacramento Kings N.B.A. franchise, became the first LEED Platinum arena when it opened in 2016. Dozens of sports arenas and stadiums around the globe have installed solar panels, LED lighting and scoreboards, energy efficient air-conditioning and dehumidifiers, and composters.
Many use a translucent coating on windows to reduce solar heat gain. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to Atlanta Falcons of the N.F.L. and a Major League Soccer team, holds up to 680,000 gallons of rainwater collected from the roof.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2019
NIMBYism is the biggest multifamily construction barrier
National Apartment Assn. report assesses reasons for difficulty in creating more apartments.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2019
Dept. of Energy to award up to $33.5 million for advanced construction R&D
Focus is on techniques to reduce energy bills.
Codes and Standards | May 16, 2019
Mixed reviews on targeted tax break for San Francisco neighborhood
“Twitter tax break” may have worsened some of the area’s problems.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2019
OSHA inspections to increase, says Secretary of Labor
Newly hired inspectors getting up to speed.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2019
Database records more than 1,360 K-12 school shooting incidents since 1970
Naval Postgraduate School program maps locations nationwide.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2019
In many cities, downtown housing comes with a hefty premium
Urban core living costs hundreds of thousands more in largest U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
San Francisco plan would require largest commercial buildings to use 100% renewable electricity
First in the U.S. mandate would be phased in from 2022 to 2030.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
ABC says best practices can improve construction companies’ safety by 680%
Daily ‘toolbox safety talks’ were most effective safety measures.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
Office noise significantly reducing employee concentration, productivity, and creativity
Workplace distractions cause some to choose to work remotely.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
WSP USA says it will be carbon neutral in 2019
Engineering firm will offset carbon at all offices and with employee business travel.