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Austin Sports & Entertainment has announced an ambitious plan to cultivate a massive sports, culture and entertainment destination under one Bjarke Ingels Group-designed roof. East Austin District, designed by the award-winning Danish firm in collaboration with local architects STG Design, includes a 40,000-seat outdoor bowl and a 15,000-seat arena accommodating a revamped Rodeo Austin.
"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. "Embracing Austin's local character and culture, the East Austin District is a single destination composed of many smaller structures under one roof. Part architecture, part urbanism, part landscape — the East Austin District is the architectural manifestation of collective intimacy — a complex capable of making tens of thousands of fans come together and enjoy the best Austin has to offer inside and between its buildings."
The 1.3-million-square-foot development is architecturally configured into a checkerboard of different functions that take the form of a latticed roofscape when viewed from above. Sheathed in red photovoltaic panels, the rooftop could allow the district's energy resources to be spread across the community.
At its nucleus lies a 40,000-seat stadium designed by professional soccer and rugby matches, music festivals and other major events. Rodeo Austin, basketball, hockey, and additional music acts will emanate out of the 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena connected to the main stadium. Approximately 190,000 square meet of premium facilities and support functions bridge the two venues, while all-wooden interiors reflecting Austin's vernacular bring a cohesive architectural expression to the project.
Eight courtyards function as outdoor living rooms and link the complex to retail, shopping and dining destinations at the district's edge. Roughly 28,000 square feet of youth facilities will be created for Rodeo Austin to promote youth education and enrichment.
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