The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their 2009 season in a brand new 3-million square foot stadium that features bold, leading edge design protected by an energy-efficient vinyl roofing system.
The stadium sports an expansive retractable roof that is the steepest and largest of its kind in the world. When closed, the roof encompasses 104-million cubic feet of volume, making it the largest enclosed NFL stadium, with a capacity of up to 100,000 fans. Each panel can open or close in 12 minutes. From directly above, the entire playing field can be seen and the opening itself is visible five miles high. The opening is 410 feet long by 256 feet wide, encompassing 105,000 square feet.
Work on the roof began in March 2008, eight months into stadium construction. The non-operable portion of the roof is constructed of Sarnafil’s vinyl EnergySmart Roof® membrane adhered to the roof substrate. This reflective membrane meets the cool roof requirements of Energy Star®, California Title 24, and Green Globes™ and LEED® programs and will help to minimize the costs of cooling the building by deflecting the sun’s rays from the roof surface.
The work crew from KPost Company of Dallas numbered 60 roof workers at one point – 40 roofers, eight caulkers, three sheet metal workers, four roofing foremen, waterproofing and sheet metal foremen, a safety monitor, and a superintendent. Three hundred feet in the air, all workers, materials, and tools were secured to the structure to meet stringent safety requirements.
The roof workers had to face extreme weather conditions that the roof will now withstand for many years – winds of up to 30 miles per hour, scorching Texas heat, and high humidity.
Two monumental arches, soaring 292 feet above the playing field, support the roof. As the longest single span roof structure in the world, each boxed arch is 35 feet deep by 17 feet wide, and spans 1,225 feet in length. The arches create a striking silhouette on the Arlington landscape as sunlight reflects against the metallic surface during the day and a tailored lighting system reflects the form at night.
“As a team of firsts, this new stadium represents the Dallas Cowboys’ innovation and
progressiveness for the future while upholding the traditions of Texas Stadium,” said Jerry Jones, owner and president of the Dallas Cowboys. In his 21st season as the club’s owner and general manager, Jerry Jones helped direct the team to Super Bowl victories in the 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons.
“In recognition of the time-honored traditions and timeless dynamic nature of the Dallas Cowboys, we chose a modern palette of simple forms and materials that creates a fittingly progressive architectural expression for the new stadium,” said Bryan Trubey, AIA, principal designer, HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, known for its modern sports venues and entertainment projects. “Swift form, powerful structure, agile movement and emulated colors serve as a strong link between the architectural form of the building and the primary use of the venue – the home of the Dallas Cowboys.”
Jay Thomas, Director of Marketing for Sika Sarnafil, said, “Vinyl roofing provided the visual appearance that the architect and owner were looking for, together with the proven performance they needed. Vinyl roofs are an integral part of many stadiums across the country due to its energy efficiency, aesthetic qualities, and its proven track record of longevity on thousands of roofs all over the world.”
For more information on Sika Sarnafil, go to www.sikacorp.com.
The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC/vinyl resin in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC/vinyl products to society.
For more information on The Vinyl Institute, contact:
Jeffrey B. Palmer
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute
571-970-3327
jpalmer@vinylinfo.org
Also go to: www.vinylindesign.com and www.vinylnewsservice.com.