The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today U.S. Bank Stadium has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The Vikings home, designed by HKS and already considered one of the most challenging game environments for opposing teams, becomes only the second NFL stadium to achieve the Gold distinction.
"The design and construction team emphasized building a highly-efficient facility and minimizing its environmental impact," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "Today's certification of LEED Gold means we accomplished our goal, giving all parties and the state of Minnesota another reason to be proud of U.S. Bank Stadium."
As the most widely-used, third-party green building rating system in the world, LEED provides a framework to promote healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. The Gold certification was the result of several design and operating features, including the following:
• U.S. Bank Stadium offsets 100 percent of its energy with renewable energy credits.
• An innovative design utilizing a single steel truss rather than two reduced the amount of steel needed for construction.
• U.S. Bank Stadium was the first NFL stadium to open with LED lighting, which consumes 75 percent less energy compared to a traditional metal halide.
• A sloped roof forms a lofted interior "heat reservoir," storing solar heat that acts as a natural snow melt system.
• The ETFE roof substantially reduces the need for daytime artificial lighting while offering benefits of natural daylight and passive solar heating.
• A sustainability program that is working toward the goal of becoming a zero waste facility and supporting green education with STEM tours for school groups.
• Harmful toxins were avoided with inclusion of healthy materials and healthy cleaning products that do not contaminate the indoor environment.
"The work of innovative building projects such as U.S. Bank Stadium is a fundamental driving force in transforming the way buildings are built, designed and operated," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC. "Buildings that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, creating a healthier environment and reducing operating costs while prioritizing sustainable practices. Because of U.S. Bank Stadium, we are increasing the number of green buildings and getting closer to USGBC's goal to outpace conventional buildings, while being environmentally and socially responsible and improving the quality of life for generations to come."
STADIUM RECEIVES MORE HARDWARE
The LEED Gold announcement comes on the heels of yet another international award for U.S. Bank Stadium, this time in the Sport Design category from the November 15 World Architecture Festival in Berlin, Germany. Known as the "Oscars of architecture," the 10-year-old festival attracts architects and design professionals from across the world to explore, debate and celebrate the built environment. A key feature of the festival is the awards program, which includes live judging. Competing architects have just 10 minutes to present their designs, and judging takes place in real time via a panel comprised of 100 architects and sector specialists from across the world.
