The University of Maryland placed third in the 2011 Crisis Ready Stadium Student Design Competition, presented by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and Kawneer. Architecture seniors Rameez Munawar, Karl Sobel and David Ensor collaborated on the winning entry. The contest challenged architecture students from U.S. colleges and universities to design a modern stadium that serves not only as a state-of-the-art entertainment venue, but also as one that could double as a weather-resilient structurally sound community refuge in times of natural disaster.

Team Maryland’s design, set in Florida, is entitled “Sun Life Complex” and combines entertainment, tourism and hospitality into one structure. The complex offers an expansive 70,000-seat stadium, an attached hotel, restaurants and an exhibition hall. Several spaces are dual usage to accommodate stadium staff and players during normal business, while acting as additional entertainment, hospitality and health spaces in the event of a crisis. An overflow dining area and hygiene facilities were added to the ground level. The team also designed the stadium seats to fold flat and recess for easy storage, creating large flat platforms for extra shelter space.

Several faculty helped counsel and guide the team in their design, including: Assistant Professors Isaac Williams, Powell Draper and Hooman Koliji; Lecturers Lester Escobal and Katherine Melluish, AIA LEED AP; and graduate student Paul Bilger. The team’s winning entry was on display in December at the AIAS forum in Phoenix and will appear in the spring issue of CRIT, the Journal of the AIAS.

The School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at the University of Maryland is home to four academic disciplines: architecture, urban planning, historic preservation and real estate development. Committed to educating its students and community about the importance of sustainability and smart growth, the School practices an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, creative work, and community and professional service. For more information, please e-mail us or call 301.405.8000.

School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation  |  Collaborative Education for a Sustainable Future