when minneapolis hosts super bowl LII this weekend, 111 million pairs of eyes will be on U.S. bank stadium. the arena, designed by HKS, has been home to the minnesota vikings since 2016 and was awarded the best completed sport building at the 2017 world architecture festival. the stadium anchors the city’s ‘big build’ plan, which will bring more than $2 billion USD worth of investment to downtown minneapolis by 2025. the initiative includes dozens of projects that will create a new neighborhood, east town, which seeks to catalyze a more walkable, transit-friendly neighborhood.

US bank stadium
all images by nic lehoux, unless otherwise stated

 

 

significantly, U.S. bank was the first stadium in the country to feature a clear ETFE roof, which fills the stadium with natural light even on overcast days. as the vikings’ former home — the metrodome — collapsed under the weight of snow in 2010, HKS designed the roof to shed snow. the outer layer of ETFE foil is printed with a silver frit that deflects sunlight and melts snow, while the roof’s steep pitch not only helps snow slide into an enormous snow-melting gutter, but also references scandinavian architecture.

US bank stadium
the stadium holds a capacity crowd of 66,655

 

 

the stadium’s roof panels are made from three layers of ETFE foil with air supply units that maintain a minimum pressure. held in place by an aluminum frame connected to the steel brackets of the roof, the triple layering helps control the thermal needs of the stadium. to maximize the feeling of being outdoors, U.S. bank features the largest glass pivoting doors in the world (55 feet wide and 95 feet tall — 17×29 meters), where 70% of fans enter. the doors remain open on warm days, bringing natural air into the stadium, while on cold days, much smaller entrance doors embedded in the glass are used.

US bank stadium
around 111 million pairs of eyes will be on U.S. bank stadium for super bowl LII

 

the arena was designed by HKS

US bank stadium
U.S. bank stadium opened in 2016

US bank stadium
a clear ETFE roof fills the stadium with natural light even on overcast days

US bank stadium
the venue anchors the minneapolis’ ‘big build’ plan

US bank stadium
the home team’s locker room
image by joe aker

US bank stadium
circulation space includes custom artwork
image by joe aker

US bank stadium
a wealth of field-adjacent facilities are included
image by joe aker

US bank stadium
an elevated terrace wraps around the stadium

 

lance evans, senior designer at HKS, explains the project in more detail
video courtesy of HKS

US bank stadium
the arena has been home to the minnesota vikings since 2016

US bank stadium
the roof’s steep pitch references scandinavian architecture

US bank stadium
super bowl LII takes place on february 4, 2018