Super Bowl LVIII & Stadia with ETFE Foil Architecture

The USA celebrates Super Bowl LVIII - and we will take a closer look at some of our Stadium in North America. When architects want to cover large roof spans they often use the Texlon® ETFE system. ETFE foil is an energy-efficient, long-lasting and lightweight solution for many buildings. Read more about it in our three architectural case studies:

Allegiant Stadiu m in Las Vegas - Texlon® ETFE Roof Offers Protection from Heat

Las Vegas Nevada is the new home to Allegiant Stadium, and the home of the Raiders NFL team.

Las Vegas Nevada is home to Allegiant Stadium, and the home of the Raiders NFL team. It is also the home of UNLV football. The new fully enclosed stadium consists of 107 ETFE cushions, covering 33,515 m² of Texlon^® ETFE roof. This unique and intelligent roofing system is supported by a structural cable net.

Custom ETFE Cladding Designs for Iconic Buildings

The initial design concept; futuristic visual approaches with a transparent ETFE roof, of this scale, had never been constructed before. The design team was initially met with a big challenge. On the one hand, there were non-negotiable terms that the Raiders would always play on natural turf, which requires natural light to grow. On the other hand, the spectators and players needed to be shielded from the hot desert sun.

A unique ETFE system was the key to controlling heat gain within the stadium: a combination of three different ETFE foil types ensures the right amount of light transmission and sun protection at Allegiant Stadium. The 107 cushions combine a transparent foil layer with a semi-sheer white layer, as well as a printed upper foil layer. The latter is printed with silver-colored pigments, that reflect the sunlight and therefore minimize heat gain. This combination of foil layers provides a beautiful outdoor feeling through sufficient light transmission while still protecting the players and fans from the harsh sun of the Las Vegas desert. Further, to ensure sufficient light exposure, the turf pitch can be rolled out of the stadium to sit in the sun. On match days the pitch is rolled back into the stadium.

Vector Foiltec knew immediately that the success and implementation of the design was going to be dependent upon creative collaboration, and flawless execution of all of the contractors involved on this Design Build project. The stadium was awarded with ENR’s 2021 ‘Best of the Best’ in the Sports and Entertainment category.

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University of Oregon: Hayward Field - With A One of A Kind ETFE Facade

In 2019, the University of Oregon renovated their track and field, making it one of the most innovative in the world. Almost 100 years after initial inception for their football team, and 2 years later for track and field, the design and construction team took this stadium to a whole new level for the world class athletes it hosts. The single layer Texlon^® ETFE canopy and facade, at Hayward Field, includes a specialized cable truss system and 3 different ETFE print densities for a unique Texlon^® ETFE canopy system, designed and supplied by Vector Foiltec. The stadium includes 12,650 permanent seats; expandable to nearly 25,000. in 2022 Hayward Field was host to the World Athletics Championships.

U. S. Bank Stadium - New Era in Stadia Transparent Roof Construction

By utilizing Vector Foiltec’s transparent Texlon® ETFE foil system for 60% of the roof at U.S. Bank Stadium, sunlight comes in, but simultaneously keeps snow, rain, cold and heat out.

The early completion of the new home of the Minnesota Vikings, marked a new era in stadium construction. By utilizing Vector Foiltec’s transparent Texlon^® ETFE foil system for 60% of the roof at U.S. Bank Stadium, sunlight comes in, but simultaneously keeps snow, rain, cold and heat out. The superb construction is one of the largest ETFE roofs in North America, spanning 22,000 m² (240,000 square feet), and the first completed stadium to incorporate sustainable ETFE technology. Vector Foiltec collaborated with a talented team of architects to help engineer a roof that could withstand harsh winter conditions, while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing roof design.

Super Bowl 2018

On February 4, 2018, U.S. Bank Stadium was the home of Super Bowl LII. The fans loved the views to the outside, while they were simultaneously being protected from snow, rain and the cold.

LEED Gold Certification

As with most projects in the United States, U.S. Bank Stadium planned for LEED certification after its completion. In November 2017, it has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Vector Foiltec’s Texlon ETFE system is part of the strategy to reduce the ecological footprint. The weight of the steel roof structure is less due to implementation of ETFE, and the adjusted transparency of the technology will allow for less artificial lighting, while helping control solar heat gain.