Walter P Moore and HKS Architects to present on sustainable stadia design

Chicago — During a panel discussion at the 2015 Green Sports Alliance Summit in Chicago, Walter P Moore’s Dirk Kester, principal and director of sustainable design, together with HKS Architects’ Greg Whittemore, associate principal and SVP, will discuss a case study on the University of North Texas (UNT) Apogee Stadium, which is the first newly constructed LEED Platinum stadium in the U.S. They will share lessons learned and the design methods employed to provide a LEED Platinum sports stadium in support of the client’s long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.

The project started with a more modest LEED goal, but Platinum was achieved based on engaging diverse stakeholders in shared sustainability goals. Understanding the University’s broader climate action plan, the team used an approach informed by Whole Building Lifecycle Assessment to better understand the emissions sources associated with constructing and operating the stadium.

The design team discovered that due to the unique nature of stadium construction, a relatively large amount of the carbon emissions were a result of the materials used to construct the stadium. The design team developed a range of strategies to minimize these emissions.

Kester’s and Whittemore’s presentation is part of a collegiate athletics facility discussion that highlights how colleges across the country have built successful collegiate greening programs including innovative supply chain and corporate partnerships, advanced green building practices, and increased student leadership on all sports greening efforts.