UH TDECU Stadium Wins Design Award – In Austin

The new 40,000-seat football stadium at the University of Houston has won local design awards – and was just honored by the AIA Austin chapter as well. Lead designer Larry Speck is from Austin but it was a collaborative effort that included DLR Group’s expertise as a sports architect. Although less than a year old, the stadium has already transformed the school’s athletics profile and enhanced the image of the university as a progressive, 21st century institution.

Below is a video excerpt of some AIA Austin judges explaining what compelled them to select TDECU Stadium as the winner of the Commercial Built category. They used language like "modern", "forward thinking" and "about the game".

The design celebrates the spirit of football by focusing on elements that enhance the game-viewing experience such as great views of the field from all seats and from most of the concourse, nicely detailed materials and a bright, festive character. Natural light filters into the concourse while still protecting fans from the elements, and assures ample air flow throughout the concourse and stadium for the comfort of spectators.

The annual AIA Austin Design Awards program showcases excellence in design produced by AIA Austin members as selected by a panel of distinguished jurors.