Asakura Robinson led discussions within the Austin FC design team related to the sustainable, climate resilient, and ecological design of Austin’s new Major League Soccer stadium.
Conversations included topics such as electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, ecological design, dark skies compliance, stormwater management, water quality features and water conservation, and solar power, among others.
Sustainability is a vital part of the stadium’s design. The building has achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating of LEED Silver.
The Austin FC soccer stadium sits on special land - the headwaters, or source, of Little Walnut Creek. In order to protect creek water quality, the pond was specially designed with plants that filter pollutants and help stormwater soak into the ground.
The ultimate plan process included facilitating an all-day sustainability convening of City staff representing various departments, coordinating and facilitating follow up meetings with topical groups ranging from parks and ecology, green infrastructure, and on-site water management to electric vehicle infrastructure, dark skies compliance, and Art in Public Places integration.
Sustainability played vital role in the stadium’s design. The building has achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating of LEED Silver. It features innovative green architectural features including the largest canopy structure of any MLS stadium at the time of construction, providing for improved comfort of fans, and increased energy efficiency of offices and other cooled spaces nested underneath.
Inside the stadium, water consumption has been reduced by 30% from the baseline standard for buildings of its size through water-conserving fixtures. All lighting on site has been designed to minimize light pollution generated from site use.
Asakura Robinson also worked with the design team to ensure the landscape design, led by TBG Partners, and chosen plant palette aligned with the City’s most innovative goals for establishing urban landscapes that provide habitat value, mitigation of urban heat, resilience to inundation in detention and water quality treatment areas, and a high level of aesthetic value – all rooted in mimicking the local bioregions.
The landscape around the pond and the stadium also features native Texas wildflowers and grasses that provide habitat and food for Austin’s urban wildlife. Wax Mallow, for example, was selected because it can provide nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and moths. The fleshy, juicy fruit that appears after it blooms is an appealing treat for birds and small mammals.
