BIG-designed 1.3 million-sf sports and entertainment district includes Austin’s first pro-sports stadium
By David Malone, Associate Editor
Spread across 1.3 million sf in Austin, Texas the new East Austin District will provide the fast-growing city with its first pro-sports stadium and large-scale music arena.
The 40,000-seat outdoor bowl is designed for large-scale soccer and rugby matches, music festivals, and other major events. The 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena is connected to the stadium and will serve as the home for Rodeo Austin, musical acts, basketball, and hockey.
Rendering courtesy of BIG.
The stadium and arena are joined by 190,000-sf of premium facilities and support functions. The separate buildings are unified by all-wooden interiors. Eight courtyards act as outdoor living rooms that connect the entire district. Visitors can gather in the public parks and plazas for communal gatherings, food truck scenes, recreation, and concerts. At the edge of the district are buildings for retail, shopping, dining, and hospitality. Youth education and enrichment are promoted via 28,000-sf of youth facilities.
Rendering courtesy of BIG.
“Like a collective campus rather than a monolithic stadium, the East Austin District unifies all the elements of rodeo and soccer into a village of courtyards and canopies,” says Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG, in a release. “Embracing Austin’s local character and culture, the East Austin District is a single destination composed of many smaller structures under one roof.”
The entire district is laid out in a checkerboard that appears as a latticed roofscape from above. The roof offers protection from the elements as well as a home for red photovoltaic panels that allow the entire district to be self-sufficient. The plan is for East Austin District to one day share its energy resources community-wide to power East Austin’s electricity and economy.
