The $1.1 billion Minnesota Vikings stadium has an architect chosen, and a bunch of renderings of possible designs, which you can see on Minnesota Public Radio’s website. Odds on the eventual stadium looking much like these initial renderings? Probably not much, but it is interesting to see that the “partially retractable roof” discussed earlier now appears to be a roof with some windows in it.
Tom Fisher, dean of the College of Design at the University of Minnesota, looked over the five firms’ proposals. He said HKS stood out.
“The ideas that they brought to the interview were interesting,” Fisher said. “For example, do you need to have a retractable roof, or are there other ways that you can help people feel connected to the outdoors without necessarily having the expense of a big retractable roof?”
It’s not a terrible idea: Retractable roofs are hideously expensive, so if stadium designers can find a way to accomplish the same thing via a few windows or skylights or whatever, then more power to them. Though it’s worth noting that HKS’ idea of covering the entire stadium with a “transparent material” so that it feels like you’re outside was the original plan for the original roofed stadium, the Houston Astrodome, and it didn’t work out too well.
A dumbass cant pick up a fly ball and they vandalise the 8th wonder of the world, bet the team never got charged for that.
I hear that the Metrodome has some new-fangled inflatable roof technology. Supposed to be cheaper than a hard-top roof.
Well, maybe a Jetsons-style dome could work. The field is going to be FieldTurf no matter what, and since it’s football & not baseball it could work. Tho it would have to be lined & heated like rear car windshields to keep the ice & snow off. But retractable domes on football stadiums are completely ridiculous & a total waste of money.