Austinites may have a fierce loyalty to the UT stadium, but a new sports and entertainment facility is about to shake things up.
The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)—a firm that has worked on both national and international projects like the Danish National Maritime Museum, the Grand Bay Miami and the Kimball Art Center expansion in Utah—has just announced plans for a massive complex at the site of Rodeo Austin and the Travis County Expo Center in East Austin. According to designboom, the stadium will include soccer, rodeo, rugby, hockey, basketball, shopping and dining facilities, including a 40,000-seat outdoor bowl and a 15,000-seat arena, both of which could also be used for live music concerts. In short, the place will be huge.
Photograph: Courtesy BIG
One of the most exciting aspects of the space, which will be designed in collaboration with Walter P. Moore Engineers and STG Design, is its solar-powered technology; the checkerboard roof will be covered in solar panels in an effort to generate its own electricity. Given Austin's sunny disposition, it's not out of reach—though powering the 1.3 million-square-foot stadium will take more than a few solar panels. Energy estimates have not yet been made available.
Photograph: Courtesy BIG
The stadium hopes to act as a communal gathering ground, with eight courtyards and a multi-purpose lawn that connect individual buildings, giving the space a campus feel. Outdoor and artisanal markets are mentioned in the plans, as is a hotel and theater.
BIG hasn't released any information on when construction is set to begin, but a structure of this scope will take years to complete. Still, if it reaches actualization, it's going to be a monumental addition to Austin's sports and entertainment scene—and is a clear sign that the development of our city isn't slowing down anytime soon.