The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, stands as a testament to innovative stadium design, particularly its groundbreaking retractable roof. Covering nearly two million square feet and accommodating 80,000 fans, this multi-purpose venue has redefined the standards for long-span roof structures in modern stadiums. The iconic Mercedes Benz Dome, a marvel of engineering, is not just a roof; it’s a dynamic architectural feature that enhances the fan experience and sets a new benchmark for stadium design worldwide.
The Challenge: Crafting a Unique and Functional Stadium Dome
The design brief for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium presented a significant challenge: to create a world-class, high-performance stadium with an iconic retractable roof. The goal was to move beyond traditional bi-panel retractable roof designs and develop something truly unique. Furthermore, the design needed to incorporate a massive, unobstructed scoreboard without compromising the open-air stadium experience. Architects and engineers were tasked with conceiving a Mercedes Benz dome that was not only visually stunning but also functionally superior, providing both open and closed configurations without sacrificing views or aesthetics.
Buro Happold collaborated closely with HOK architects to engineer a retractable roof concept that was not only distinctive but also ensured every spectator enjoyed views of the expansive 360-degree “halo” scoreboard.
Roger Nickells, Partner
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Halo Board providing unobstructed views for spectators, a key design element of the stadium dome.
The Innovative Oculus Dome Solution: A Petal Design
The solution to this complex challenge lies in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s revolutionary retractable oculus dome. Unlike conventional designs, this Mercedes Benz dome is composed of eight cantilevered “petals” that move in a synchronized motion, creating the illusion of a camera shutter opening and closing. This unique “petal” design allows the stadium dome to open or close in under 10 minutes, offering remarkable flexibility for various events and weather conditions. The movement of these petals creates a visually captivating pinwheel effect, adding to the stadium’s iconic appeal.
The lightweight nature of the Mercedes Benz dome is achieved through the use of ETFE cushions. These transparent, inflated cushions minimize the load on the long-span cantilevered petals, ensuring efficient and smooth operation. When opened, the oval-shaped aperture of the roof dome extends across the field, flooding the venue with natural daylight and offering panoramic city views. The translucent ETFE material not only reduces structural weight but also enhances the spectator experience by maintaining a bright and airy atmosphere, even when the Mercedes Benz dome is closed.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Petal Roof in motion, showcasing the unique retractable dome design with ETFE cushions and lightweight steel framework.
Sustainability and Enhanced Fan Experience
Beyond its innovative retractable Mercedes Benz dome, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a leader in sustainable stadium design. It proudly holds the distinction of being the first LEED Platinum certified professional sports venue in North America. This commitment to sustainability is evident in various aspects of the stadium, including a comprehensive water capture and reuse system and over 4,000 photovoltaic panels. These solar panels generate enough energy annually to power ten Atlanta Falcons home games, significantly reducing the stadium’s environmental footprint.
LEED Platinum certification badge, highlighting the Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible design.
Complementing the Mercedes Benz dome and sustainable features is the Halo Board, a 360-degree, high-definition LED video display. This state-of-the-art scoreboard ensures an immersive and theatrical experience for every fan, regardless of whether the stadium dome is open or closed. The Halo Board, combined with the dynamic retractable dome, creates an unparalleled atmosphere for sports and entertainment events.
Infographic illustrating the 80,000 seat capacity of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, designed to maximize fan experience under the innovative stadium dome.
A New Standard in Stadium Design
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with its groundbreaking Mercedes Benz dome, represents a holistic design approach that prioritizes both fan experience and architectural innovation. The collaborative efforts of the project team have resulted in a visually stunning and functionally exceptional venue. Featuring an innovative long-span steel retractable dome and the nation’s first single-skin ETFE facade, the stadium serves as a pioneering example of how elegant design and cutting-edge engineering can create an iconic, fan-friendly, and high-performance building in the sports and entertainment sector. The Mercedes Benz dome is more than just a roof; it is a symbol of architectural and engineering excellence, setting a new standard for stadium design globally.
