A glowing destination
BBVA Compass Stadium gets LEED Silver cred and architecture kudos from nationalmagazine
The Houston Dynamo had an unparalleled 2012 season, moving into new digs, advancing in the MLS Eastern Conference and going up against (and narrowly losing to) the LA Galaxy for the MLS Cup.
And their home field — the BBVA Compass Stadium — has seen similar success, last week earning LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Some features that resulted in this qualification include diverting 86.85 percent of the construction waste from landfills, using high-energy and low-water restroom facilities, sourcing 98.42 percent of wood-based building materials from FSC-certified forests and providing preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.
"The fans literally have a glowing (when lit at night) 22,000-seat destination from which to cheer on their team."
The Dynamo stadium also merited recent mention by Architectural Record in an article that looks at how the facility fits into the fabric of EaDo.
"The fans literally have a glowing (when lit at night) 22,000-seat destination from which to cheer on their team," writes contributing editor Ingrid Spencer, citing the stadium's unique metal-mesh facade and relatively small footprint.
She goes on to tout its dynamic location — within walking distance to a soon-to-be-complete light rail stop, Minute Maid Stadium, the George R. Brown Convention Center and its environs — and its intimacy within.
Both of those factors work to amplify fan experience, making each feel a part of the city and a part of the game. We're already looking forward to next year.