Garden Fields

Based on the research and understanding of the site and its location. Our concept was to transform the stadium to an entertainment hub for different activities with heavy emphasis on landscape and the culture of Iowa. Which was incorporated into the design of the stadium. To create connections between the stadium and the landscape we raised the earth up to create a lower concourse which allows multiple entries as well as connections to the gardens and parks. To bring in the culture of Iowa, the main support for the bowl are pyramid like pillars that were inspired by corn husks. Which creates a unique support and addition to the balcony on the west facade.Certain areas were designated to have crops planted. This would then create a place for local markets to come and sell during the day. Bringing in many people from local to global. At night the area and stadium could become a local night market or an area for bars and  nightclubs. The idea was to keep all the entertainment areas to be really close together so that it would be a bit safer for sports fans, party goers and residents. 

The landscape creates many opportunities for market as well as outdoor plaza spaces with the embedded amphitheater and open views of downtown along with connections to the river. With these spaces they could be turned into local food markets and many more events.

To incorporate the context we manipulated the landscape so that the field could be embedded  into the ground. Which would then allow many entries from the main and lower concourse levels.

Over time the stadium would be turned into an arena for extreme sports such as rock climbing and zip lining. Garden Fields is a gathering place for many different lifestyles whether you have an active lifestyle to an easy going one.   

We went through about 5 or 6 iterations before we came up with the final outcome. We had a hard time trying to connect the stadium with the context as well as its use after the stadium was  no more. The reason why we decided on this solution was because it allows for many transformations and multiple uses for all kinds of people to use. We did not want to limit how the stadium could be used as well as being selective on who could use the stadium. 

The stadium would be transformed in 3 phases. Phase 1 was the stadium, garden; the stadium would be used for sporting events and concert venues while the land surrounding the stadium would be used for parks and agriculture. This would then slowly transition to local food markets and then phase 2 the stadium would have multiple nightclubs and bars. Phase 3 would turn into an extreme sports center allowing indoor and outdoor  rock climbing and zip lining. Throughout the phases the parks and gardens will still be there; they would just continue to expand. With this design we hope to bring people together and eventually allow the structure to completely be taken over by nature.