Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas

by Rosa Soto | 15 September 2022 12:00 am

For an expansion and enclosure of the end zone at the south side of Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium at University of Texas at Austin, Populous specified three colors of metal composite material (MCM) panels to coordinate with the university’s branding colors.

The 240,000-square-foot expansion fully encloses the stadium, which was previously a horseshoe-shaped sports arena. MCM panels were installed throughout the expansion including on two seven-story entry towers, terraces with concession areas and a broadcasting stage. The project includes seating in tower suites, three clubs, corner student patio seating and coaches’ offices. The project also integrated and renovated the previously detached Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center into the stadium. Notably, the football team’s Longhorn logo was carved into a new seating bowl.

The Longhorn silhouette seating bowl is 215 feet wide by 72 feet deep. Matt Hubbell, operations manager at Byrne Metals Corp., says his company’s employees field verified measurements and then fabricated the panels with a CNC router. “Everything was angled in some way; this job included very few typical panels,” he says. “Those panels angle downward; that kind of slope doesn’t let you hide any imperfections. This area was a critical layout. Every panel on the Longhorn is tapered, so creating a perfectly straight line was crucial to make it look right. We made field modifications in that area, and installation went very quickly.”

Byrne Metals fabricated and installed 3A Composites USA Inc.’s 4-mm-thick ALUCOBOND PLUS MCM in custom UT Burnt Orange, Rusted Metal and Pure White. Byrne Metals also fabricated and installed 3A’s ALUCOBOND AXCENT trim.

Drew Martin, executive senior associate athletics director for external affairs/intercollegiate athletics at the university, says, “This is the only sports stadium to construct a logo in the actual building; it’s beautiful. It’s a big pride point for fans.”

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/darrell-k-royal-texas-memorial-stadium-austin-texas/

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