Apogee Stadium Nations First Newly Constructed LEED Platinum Collegiate Football Stadium
Denton, Texas
The United States Green Building Council awarded the University of North Texas new Apogee Stadium a LEED Platinum Certification, making it the first newly constructed collegiate football stadium in the nation to achieve the highest level of LEED certification.
Recently installed wind turbines are also helping the university score big in sustainability and achieve another first the first new collegiate venue to incorporate onsite renewable energy through the use of wind turbine power. UNT was awarded a 2 million grant by the State Energy Conservation Office for the installation of three wind turbines that provide electricity to the energy grid which provides power to the new stadium and other buildings on the campus.
The turbines will help offset the external energy demand of Mean Green Village, the area of the campus surrounding the new stadium. A web-based monitoring system provides details on energy production, carbon reduction statistics and empirical data that can be used for both educational and research purposes at UNT.
Apogee Stadium occupies a dramatic hillside site, which provided the opportunity to create a visually powerful architectural presence. Uplifting, aggressive and angular forms create architecture symbolic of the “Mean Green” and the eagle; UNTs team mascot. The “winged” exposed steel structure is painted “mean green” and creates a dynamic setting for a scoreboard plaza.
The 31,000-seat Apogee Stadium features luxury suites, an amenity-filled club level, Spirit Store, corporate deck and a unique end zone seating area. In addition to hosting UNT events, it serves the North Texas region as a venue for outdoor concerts, community events and high football school games.
From the wind turbines to the native landscaped surroundings to the eco-friendly building materials, Apogee Stadium is a one-of-a-kind green venue.
Sustainable Design Highlights:
Enhancing the Site and its Surroundings
More than 50 percent of the stadium site is preserved or restored with landscaping that is drought-tolerant and native to the North Texas climate.
The natural, park-like setting allows the community to enjoy the venue year-round. Permeable pavers, combined with the native, landscaped site, reduce storm water runoff and minimize the heat-island effect.
Campus bus stops, secured bicycle storage and preferred parking spaces for carpooling are provided to promote alternative means of transportation. Paved walkways and bike paths through the park-like environment connect back to the main campus, encouraging fans to walk or bike to any stadium event.
Reducing Water and Energy Consumption
It is estimated the three wind turbines will provide approximately 500,000 kilowatt hours per year for the UNT Eagle Point power grid, effectively eliminating 323 metric tons of CO2 from being emitted annually into the atmosphere.
The high-performance stadium design uses energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning and lighting equipment, reducing energy consumption by 25 percent.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, urinals and showers will reduce water consumption by more than 52 percent.
Promoting Sustainable and Recycled Materials
Seventy-five percent of construction waste materials were recycled by the stadiums contractor rather than being dumped in a landfill.
Of the products and materials used in the construction of the stadium, 20 percent were made with recycled content and more than 47 percent were manufactured locally.
To further reduce CO2 emissions, higher percentages of fly ash were substituted for cement to construct the concrete portions of the project.
Improving Indoor Environmental Quality
Low-volatile organic compound-emitting materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and flooring were used to improve the indoor air quality for the building occupants.
Ninety percent of regularly occupied indoor spaces provides occupants with natural daylight and views to the outdoors.
UNT implemented green policies and procedures for stadium operations and maintenance.