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Views of the main entrance to
Audi Field by day and at night.

Goal! Audi Field Breaks the Mold

Goal! for Soccer Stadiums

by Steven K. Dickens, AIA, LEED AP

The seats of the Roman Colosseum, completed in the year 82 CE, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, in Baltimore, famously started
didn’t have pads, and of course there were no artificial lights or a movement toward stadiums more tailored to their sites and
sound systems, but the archetypal form of the stadium—an oval grounded in the idea that a distinctive venue optimizes the spectator
bowl of seating surrounding a field, with some sun shades and experience—and that spectators’ experiences outside of the stadium
an impressive outward-facing façade—has changed remarkably itself should also be memorable. Camden Yards’ urban location
little in 2,000 years. The form derives from the basic function of allowed for multiple transportation options: in addition to traveling
accommodating spectators watching a sport or entertainment of by car, spectators could walk or take transit to the game, and on
some sort, plus the necessary circulation and support spaces. the way (in or out), partake in restaurants, bars, shopping, or even
In the middle of the 20th century in the U.S., most new stadiums art events. Camden Yards’ incorporation of the historic B&O
hewed closely to the archetype, with almost no variation for Warehouse as the backdrop for right field (and as a venue for
differing climates or regional histories—or even for the different multiple amenity spaces as well as Orioles management offices)
types of sports that would be played in the facility. Sites had to be was groundbreaking: even on television, the location was
sufficiently large to accommodate the uniform bowl shape—smaller unmistakable. The design also opened a slot view to the towers
sites simply were not considered viable. The exteriors reflected a of downtown Baltimore, further cementing a sense of place.
range of mid-century modern styles, some impressive and unique, Camden Yards was designed by the architecture firm HOK
others forgettable and generic, but inside, the experience was Sport and opened in 1992. Fast-forward 25 years and the same
minimally different from one city (or, increasingly, suburb) to the next. firm, now rebranded as Populous, received the commission for a

34 GOAL!