Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Washington: Husky Stadium Renovation and Expansion

  • 03/01/15
Husky Stadium Renovation and Expansion

PHOTOS © 2013 DOUG SCOTT and HOK (bottom center), ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Husky Stadium has been the home of University of Washington football for over 90 years. A substantial renovation and expansion to the stadium, which opened in 2013, transformed it into a state-of-the-art facility that better serves the needs of students, student-athletes and fans. The design solution developed by HOK provides enhanced amenities while maintaining the stadium’s historic character and surrounding natural setting.

Located adjacent to Lake Washington, the design responds to tight site constraints and enhances the stadium’s outdoor amenities through the creation of large landscaped plazas. On event days, the plazas expand to their full extent, providing continuous public space around the entirety of the stadium bowl. The stadium’s proximity to the softball facility and football practice fields allows for shared use.

Inside the stadium, complete demolition and reconstruction of the lower bowl and south side stands brings fans closer to the action. “The running track, which previously surrounded the field, was removed and the new synthetic turf field was installed four feet lower to optimize sightlines,” says Brad Schrock, director of sports, recreation and entertainment for HOK. “Minimizing sideline dimensions allowed us to bring seating as close to the field as possible and create new premium seating options desired by fans.”

Six “Touchdown Terrace” patio suites and 60 club seats were added at the field-level, offering fans a front-row, toes-on-turf, game-day experience. New circulation to the concourses and seating allows for easy access to The Zone, a popular pregame and half-time gathering space that offers activities for fans of all ages. In addition, The Zone offers up close access to the Husky Team as they enter the stadium.

Extensive efforts were made to minimize the facility’s environmental impact. The project is targeting LEED certification and adheres to Salmon-Safe Project guidelines.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Architectural Power for the Modern Campus Landscape

    For generations, an outdoor classroom only required a textbook and a patch of grass. Today, not only has the laptop replaced the printed pages, the rise of agile learning has turned campuses into study halls with students listening to lectures and researching topics from quads, gardens, and plazas. The challenge for architects and facility managers is to provide connectivity without cluttering the landscape with visual eyesores or creating safety hazards with extension cords.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Construction Begins on New University Research Vessel

    Boat-building company All American Marine recently announced that it has begun construction on a new catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas, Texas, according to a news release.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.