[home]field Advantage: Re-evaluating the Urban Impact of the Typical Stadium Typology
Open Access
Author:
Dozier, Douglas Andrew
Area of Honors:
Architecture
Degree:
Bachelor of Architecture
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
James Newton Wines, Thesis Supervisor Scott W Wing, Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Architecture Stadium Urban Planning Spectacle Sports Toronto
Abstract:
Stadiums today have transitioned from a theater of sport to strictly capital driven operations. Consequently, the very humble activity of watching sports is becoming a privilege of only the wealthy. Although funded by taxpayer money, communities are unable to utilize stadiums year round. Instead, stadiums sit vacant, creating large voids in the urban fabric. However, a fracturing of the typical oval stadium can increase access and develop a new neighborhood identity for the stadium. An increase in use by the community will help enhance the connection the stadium has to the surrounding context. Additional insertions of supplemental program create a stadium that is self-sustaining year-round and begin limiting the powerful reigns franchises hold over their home city. The result is a completely new building type that is flexible and can be customized to provide different experiences throughout the year. The line between city and the space of spectacle is blurred, allowing the interactions between people to become the true spectacle of the city.
