Gallery: How Astronauts Watch Football: Super Bowl Stadiums Seen From Space
01superdome
This Sunday hundreds of millions of people worldwide will throw parties and huddle around TVs to celebrate the amazing achievements of teams of people who have striven their entire lives for one shot at greatness. Architects. Sure, the 49ers and Ravens will put on a show in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but the really amazing feat was getting stadiums built in the first place. Politicians, architects, and team owners are all famous for having big egos, but like a team, all of them have to work together to succeed and build monuments to their favorite sport. Mark Williams is a Principal at [HKS](http://hksinc.com/), the architecture firm that has designed the venues for the last two Super Bowls and is hard at work on a new stadium in Minneapolis. He shared some thoughts on what goes into a super stadium. "Our designs grow out of our extensive research, brand analysis and understanding the DNA of our clients, their teams and the region they draw from," he says. This philosophy is clearly evident in his firm's work. The new Cowboys Stadium is big and bright, just like everything in Texas, while the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis befits the more modest, industrial nature of the Midwest. "Technology integration is the biggest design driver recently integrated into our process," says Williams. "We are constantly thinking about how to incorporate today and tomorrow's technology into our venues and their environments." Each stadium displays this integration in a unique way. Duct work you could drive a truck, or Jerome Bettis, through is featured at Lucas Oil Stadium while a $40 million dollar, 544 ton HDTV that spans the 20 yard lines at Cowboys Stadium is the star. Ultimately, visiting a stadium is still all about human interaction. When asked what fans liked most about the stadiums, it wasn't the seating or concession stand. According to Williams it's "When we create environments that allow them to go behind the scenes, interact with players, and enjoy exclusive opportunities." It's unlikely that any of these structures will outlast, or have the impact of the Colosseum in Rome, but they are a great reflection of the technology and trends that are shaping our world today. __above:__ Mercedes-Benz (Louisiana) Superdome ----------------------------------- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Super Bowls hosted: 1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, 2002, 2013 Capacity: 76,468 Completed: 1975 Cost (2013 dollars): $579 million, $223 for Post-Katrina repairs Architects: Curtis and Davis Associated Edward B. Silverstein & Associates Nolan, Norman & Nolan The Superdome was conceived and named when a local entrepreneur, looking to bring the NFL to New Orleans, toured Houston's Astrodome and decided he wanted the same style of building — just bigger. The stadium was built and became home to one of the NFL's laughing stock franchises for nearly three decades. During Hurricane Katrina, the Superdome became a shelter of last resort and was severely damaged during the ordeal. It was triumphantly rebuilt, clad in "Champagne Bronze" aluminum panels, and seemingly reinvigorated the home team which captured the NFL championship in 2009. It has also hosted a record seven Super Bowls. *Photo: Google Earth; 3/07/2011*
02cowboy
Cowboy Stadium -------------- Location: Arlington, Texas Super Bowl hosted: 2011 Capacity: 80,000-100,000 Completed: 2009 Cost (2013 dollars): $1.41 billion Architects: HKS As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas and their stadiums are no different. The Cowboys Stadium is the most expensive ever built for an NFL team, and though it can hold 80,000 spectators easily, seating can be expanded to accommodate 100,000. The roof alone weighs 14,100 tons, more than 92 Boeing 777's. Its most famous feature is its giant HD video screen — which measures 160 feet wide by 71 feet tall. If that isn't enough, there are also 3,000 other digital screens in the facility to catch replays or keep up with a fantasy football roster. *Photo: Google Earth; 6/12/2011*
03georgia-dome
Georgia Dome ------------ Location: Atlanta, Georgia Super Bowls hosted: 1994, 2000 Capacity: 71,228 Completed: 1992 Cost (2013 dollars): $354 million Architects: Heery International; Rosser FABRAP International; and Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates Completed in 2002, the Georgia Dome was built at the tail end of the domed arena era. It has hosted two Super Bowls, but is unlikely to see a third. The operators of the stadium, frustrated by leaks and tears in the dome structure, are looking to build a new venue with a retractable roof. *Photo: Google Earth; 10/31/2012*
04metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome ---------------------------- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Super Bowl hosted: 1992 Capacity: 64,111 Completed: 1982 Cost (2013 dollars): $299 million Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Setter, Leach & Lindstrom The roof of the Metrodome was a marvel of engineering when constructed in 1982. Composed of Teflon-coated fiberglass outer layer and an inner layer of acoustical fabric it wasn't erected, it was inflated. It was intended to shield spectators from Minnesota's brutal winters. But winter struck back, dropping 17 inches of powder on it — causing it to sag, tear, and then collapse. It has been replaced, but a new, $975 million dollar stadium is set to open in 2016. *Photo: Google Earth; 4/03/2012*
05stanford
Stanford Stadium ---------------- Location: Stanford, California Super Bowl hosted: 1985 Capacity: 50,000 Completed: 2006 Cost (2013 dollars): $90 million Architects: Hoover and Associates The Stanford Stadium, also known as "The Farm", lives up to its nickname being surrounded by trees instead of acres of asphalt. It plays host to Stanford's football team, the occasional FIFA World Cup, but has two true claims to fame. It's one of two venues to host the NFL's biggest game without being the home field for an NFL team, and the San Francisco 49ers win in Super Bowl XIX marked the only time a "home team" won a Super Bowl. *Photo: Google Earth; 10/31/2011*
06qualcomm
Qualcomm (Jack Murphy) Stadium ------------------------------ Location: San Diego, California Super Bowls hosted: 1988, 1998, 2003 Capacity: 70,561 Completed: 1967 Cost (2013 dollars): $188 million Architects: Frank L. Hope and Associates This stadium is home to powerful athletes, but truly demonstrates the power of the pen. A local sportswriter was trying to bring professional sports to southern, southern California in the early 60's. He succeeded in galvanizing public support, getting the public to pledge money via bonds, and ultimately delivered a venue that has been used by the San Diego Chargers and Padres for over 30 years. After Murphy's death in 1980 the stadium was rechristened Jack Murphy Stadium until 1997 when Qualcomm purchased the naming rights. Just think, if Kickstarter had existed back then, an entrepreneur like Murphy could have crowdfunded a dome — not that San Diego needs it. *Photo: USDA Farm Service Agency/Google Earth; 4/24/2010*
07rosebowl
Rose Bowl --------- Location: Pasadena, California Super Bowls hosted: 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993 Capacity: 94,392 Completed: 1982 Cost (2013 dollars): $3.78 million Architect: Myron Hunt The Rose Bowl has to be considered the best value for dollar in the history of Super Bowl stadiums. Constructed for an amount that would be a rounding error on the new Cowboys stadium, it can host 106,869 screaming, somewhat squished Bruins fans. For a time, it had the highest football capacity of any stadium in the US and has been host to the Super Bowl five times even though it is not home to an NFL franchise. However, a sixth Super Bowl will have to wait for a team to relocate to Los Angeles, a requirement enacted after it last hosted the game in 1993. *Photo: TerraMetrics/Google Earth; 03/07/2011*
08coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ----------------------------- Location: Los Angeles, California Super Bowls hosted: 1967, 1973 Capacity: 93,607 Completed: 1923 Cost (2013 dollars): $13 million Architects: John and Donald Parkinson The Art Moderne-style LA Coliseum was built in 1923 and has hosted the LA Rams, two Olympics, two Super Bowls, an epic Evel Knievel jump over 50 cars, and is the only Super Bowl host that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. *Photo: Google Earth; 3/07/2011*
Screenshot: Roberto Baldwin/WIRED09sunlife-stadium
Sun Life Stadium (Joe Robbie/Pro Player) ---------------------------------------- Location: Miami Gardens, Florida Super Bowls hosted: 1989, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2010 Capacity: 67,000 Completed: 1987 Cost (2013 dollars): $235 million Architects: Populous Sun Life Stadium suffers from an identity crisis. It was designed to be a hybrid football/baseball stadium, meaning the seating arrangements aren't optimized for either fan base. The best proof of the stadium's conflicted nature is the fact its had seven names in its 25 year history. *Photo: Google Earth; 3/26/2011*
10lucas-oil
Lucas Oil Stadium ----------------- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Super Bowl hosted: 2012 Capacity: 62,421 Completed: 2008 Cost (2013 dollars): $777 million Architects: HKS, A2so4 Architecture While Midwesterners are famously modest, the firm that designed Lucas Oil Stadium has no qualms boasting about its superlative features. The stadium is 168 million square feet, or 39 acres, right downtown in Indianapolis. It's unique among NFL stadiums in that it isn't based on a dome or bowl configuration, but has gabled roofs and is sheathed in traditional bricks rather than aircraft-grade aluminum or other space age materials. The peaked roofs, copious amounts of natural light, and exposed duct work are all meant to reference the industrial landscape that surrounds the stadium. *Photo: TerraMetrics/Google Earth; 08/29/2012*
11miami-orange-bowl
Miami Orange Bowl ----------------- Location: Miami, Florida Super Bowls hosted: 1968, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1979 Capacity: 72,319 Completed: 1937 Demolished: 2008 Cost (2013 dollars): $5.5 million Architects: Uncredited The Orange Bowl is the only Super Bowl stadium to be designed and built by a municipal department of public works. It lacked the polish of its privately funded counterparts and was demolished in 2008, but had a solid 71 year run, outlasting many of the higher priced stadiums. *Photo: USDA Farm Service Agency/Google Earth; 05/07/2007*
12silverdome
Pontiac Silverdome ------------------ Location: Pontiac, Michigan Super Bowl hosted: 1982 Capacity: 82,000 Completed: 1975 Cost (2013 dollars): $245 million Architects: O'Dell, Hewlett, & Luckenbach The Pontiac Silverdome was the home of the Detroit Lions from 1975 to 2002, but only hosted one Super Bowl in 1982. It arguably peaked in 1987 when it hosted both Pope John Paul II celebrating mass and the epic confrontation between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III. The Lions moved to a new stadium in 2002, but the Silverdome lives own playing host to Metallica concerts and monster truck rallies. *Photo: USDA Farm Service Agency/Google Earth; 05/09/2010*
13raymond-james
Raymond James Stadium --------------------- Location: Tampa, Florida Super Bowls hosted: 2001, 2009 Capacity: 65,908 Completed: 1998 Cost (2013 dollars): $240 million Architects: Populous Located just an hour from Disney World, the most distinctive feature of this stadium is an interactive pirate ship. Playing off the team's pirate theme, the 103 foot long ship in the end zone shoots prizes when the Buccaneers score or enter the opposing team's red zone. The theme park fun doesn't stop there — flags are hoisted, "*A Pirate's Life For Me*" is blasted through the sound system, and an audio animatronic parrot sasses random passersby whenever something good happens for the home team. *Photo: USDA Farm Service Agency/Google Earth; 2009*
14reliant
Reliant Park ------------ Location: Houston, Texas Super Bowl hosted: 2004 Capacity: 70,000 Completed: 2002 Cost (2013 dollars): $556 million Architects: Rossetti Architects Hamilton Anderson Associates, Inc. Kaplan, McLaughlin, Diaz Architects Reliant Stadium is home to the Houston Texans, and hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII where the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers and Janet Jackson suffered the world's most famous "wardrobe malfunction." When not being used for football, the stadium can also be transformed to host trade shows and the famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. *Photo: Google Earth; 03/10/2011*
