This one is Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throwing during the eighth inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on October 1, 2011, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
The legend goes that there was a hole in Texas Stadium so God could watch his favorite team play. Well Texas Stadium, now demolished, is no longer the home of the Cowboys. Now playing in new Cowboys Stadium, it is obvious that a new legend just might be establishing itself.
The world's first completely solar-powered stadium, located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is set to be completed in time for July's World Games. The massive stadium has a 14,155 square meter roof area--every inch of which is covered in solar panels. When completed, the stadium's 8,844 solar panels are expected to produce 1.14GWh of electricity each year. That's enough to power the structure's 3,300 lights, two huge TV screens, and maybe even sell extra electricity back to the grid.
Architect Toyo Ito designed the stadium with Feng Shui in mind, which is why the steel structure resembles a horseshoe. The structure's layout ensures that fans are in the shade for most of the day,and ample open space is available on both sides of the stadium for park land.
Ito's stadium has been called "a wake-up call to Western architects", but stadiums in the U.S. are becoming increasingly energy efficient. The Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, became the first NBA and NHL arenas to receive LEED certification last month thanks to an array of initiatives, including energy-efficient underground parking, water-conserving toilets, and carpeting made from recycled materials. American Airlines Arena expects to shave $500,000 off its yearly utility bills as a result of its conservation measures. Any guesses as to how much cash Taiwan's stadium will save once the cost of the panels is paid off? (Via)
A lot of stadiums around the world have the finest design and they give pride to the countries where they are located. Yet there are some stadiums where architects have failed and there are some very clever adaptations to the surrounding landscape and that makes them kinda weird.
Singapore, Marina Bay. Made entirely of steel, the floating platform measures 390 feet long and 270 feet wide. It can bear up to 1,070 tonnes, equivalent to the total weight of 9,000 people, 200 tonnes of stage props and three 30-tonne military vehicles. The gallery at the stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000 people.
Portugal, Braga.
One of the most expensive and weirdest stadiums in Portugal. The enormous rock moving process contributed heavily to the final $122 million cost, more than any other of the ten new stadiums built for European football championship in 2004. The stadium is often considered one of the most original and beautiful stadiums in the world. We find it strange.
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