Hayward Field athletics stadium in Eugene

Location Eugene, USA

PACKING THE FANS NEAR THE FINISH LINE

Client / operator University of Oregon Architects SRG Partnership US – Portland, OR 97201 www.srgpartnership.com Author SRG Partnership

HAYWARD FIELD ATHLETICS STADIUM IN EUGENE

Hayward Field sets a new standard for fan experience and connection to the sport with comfortable seating for every single patron, a diversity of in-stadium food and beverage amenities, great sight lines and close proximity to the athletes and the action. SRG Partnership consider the facility a true theater for track-and-field events. The 9-story tower at the main public entry resembles the Olympic torch, while its metal cladding features imagery of five legendary Oregon athletes.

Photos Kevin Scott The 12,650-seat stadium (expandable to nearly 25,000 seats) provides world-class facilities for the track-and-field student-athletes to train, develop and perform at their highest potential. All aspects of the stadium beyond the competitive track were envisioned to be used by the athletes for training – from the public concourses and ramps totaling 7,810 m², which are covered in

track surfacing, to winding vertical stairs climbing the soaring Hayward tower.

Beneath the stadium is nearly 3,715 m² dedicated to training and recovery, including several amenities for the athletes for socializing and coming together as a team. Examples of these team amenities beneath the stadium include an indoor practice area (including a six-lane, 140 m straightaway and two-story interior space for long jump, triple jump, throws, and pole vault); a 100-seat team auditorium; team locker rooms, lounge and shared study spaces; weight training; equipment workspace, offices, storage and check-out; sports medicine; active and passive recovery; hydrotherapy, training and treatment; anti-gravity treadmills; nutrition station; and barber shop. The aim was that every inch of it can be used as a training facility, so no more need to schedule time or share facilities with other sports. Anything that can be used as a training tool is used as a training tool.

Spectator connection and experience In addition to the athlete’s experience, the fan experience was paramount to the design. Open sight lines for all and the proximity of the spectators to the athletes – with the first row of seats on the new nine-lane track level – create a unique intimacy between athletes and fans. The enhanced acoustics of the stadium help build anticipation and amplify the action, creating an immersive sensory experience. The

designers decided to go with a single layer of ETFE and stretch it taught, so it became kind of a diaphanous, simple form that sits on this solid masonry base. The stadium cladding goes from more transparent lower on the building to more fritted as you move up to the roof, so you get better shading. ETFE was chosen as a bright acoustical material, so it helps reinforce and amplify sound. It was loud at Old Hayward, but there was not enough enclosure to really amplify it.

Asymmetrical bowl Throughout the stadium all seating is a spacious 55 cm wide, with a generous 112 cm tread depth for optimum fan comfort. Making the stadium unique as a track-and-field only venue, the seating bowl is asymmetrical to pack the most fans near the finish line of competition. Unlike typical suites that are in lofty boxes above the stands, Hayward’s premium suites are open and close to the field, directly connecting fans to the action. “Track-and-field has the biggest competition surface of any sport,” says Aaron Pleskac, principal at SRG Partnership. “Would you rather watch the athlete throw a javelin or discus, or where it lands? Pole vault happens in the middle. Some races start at the three-quarter mark instead of just running one lap. The stadium is a theater.”

The significance of wood When first conceptualizing the new Hayward Field, the design team came across the quote, “Oregon is wood and wood is Oregon,” by Bill Bowerman, inspiring the wood canopy structure and other wood elements throughout the stadium. The soaring canopy structure of “bents” surrounding the stadium are a powerful connection to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. At the same time, this scale structure is a physical representation of the most important aspect of the University of Oregon brand – innovation. Paired with the light, airy, translucent ETFE canopy roof, this environment enhances acoustics and provides rain protection and shade for the fans below. Hayward Tower The 9-story Hayward Tower marks the main public entry and serves as a campus and community-wide landmark for this historic site. The interior includes coaches’ amenities, offices and meeting rooms and the open upper deck will be made public for all Hayward visitors to enjoy the 360-degree view of Eugene and the surrounding valley. The exterior is clad with a perforated metal panel featuring imagery of five Oregon track-and-field icons. The steel form flares upward and outward to resemble the Olympic torch.