Grid and the Gridiron: Re-imagining Mega-Structures in the Neighborhood

Abstract

In dense urban environments, space is valuable. Unused space is not a luxury taxpayers or developers can afford. Mega-structures like football stadiums are important civic and sacred spaces and are valued in American culture as such. However, they receive infrequent use, sitting idle most days of the year. This thesis will examine how architecture and urban design can make these sacred, civic spaces active and restore public value from Monday to Saturday. The means of activating spaces stem from allowing the field to function as a park, making retail space in and around the stadium functional on game days and non-game days, providing maximum structural flexibility for non-football functions, and adapting parking lots into public plazas by encouraging in them a variety of uses.