AT BRASÍLIA’S NEW STADIUM, THE EARTH SCORES BIG-TIME
If there were a way to harness the power generated by 70,000 flag-draped soccer fans
shouting to the point of hoarseness, our planet might not have an energy problem. Alas, the
outlook for such technology is dubious, so Brazilian architects Castro Mello have done
the next best thing. They’ve designed the new Estádio Nacional in Brazil’s capital, Brasília,
to be the world’s first major sports stadium that’s net-zero energy and LEED Platinum–rated.
In the process, they’ve sparked similar initiatives throughout the rest of Brazil, and hope to
inspire other countries to follow suit by the time the stadium hosts the 2014 FIFAWorld Cup.
“
If you can build stadiums green, you can build anything green,” says Ian McKee, the
project’s head LEED consultant. Here’s how they did it.
BY JACQUELINE DETWILER
HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
•
FEBRUARY 2013
•
ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES PROVOST
59
1
The stadium’s sprawling white roof
works with Brasília’s weather—hot in
direct sunlight, cool in the shade—to cut
air-conditioning requirements. It also
provides space for a 2.544-megawatt
solar array that will collect and exchange
power with the local grid to provide for all
the building’s electricity needs.
2
To clean greenhouse gases from the air,
those parts of the roof not covered in solar
panels are coated with titaniumdioxide
(
Ti0
2
).
When activated by sunlight, Ti0
2
converts carbon dioxide to, essentially,
dirt, which is then washed away by rain-
water—which is itself filtered and reused
in toilets and irrigation systems.
3
More than half the carbon emissions
associated with stadiums come from auto
transportation to and from events. The
CastroMello team aimed to cut those
emissions by offering a bike valet program
with indoor and outdoor parking spots.
Plus, the stadium is located within walking
distance of two major hotel districts.
TiO
2
UV
2
3
1
INNOVATION BUSINESS TECH
HOW IT’S DONE
