Lower.com Field - Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew is drawing fans to a new, impressive viewing experience that's so much more than just watching the game. The enhanced seating and safe standing areas with a capacity of 20,000 fans create a prime spectator environment for a soccer game. A 62,000 square-foot public plaza hosts concerts, watch parties, and other events and The Pub is open every day of the week. There were also residential and commercial components to the project.

Henderson Engineers worked closely with the city, architect, and other stakeholders to help keep this fast-track design on schedule to meet their 2021 season kick off. Starting early on in the project, we actively worked to keep the schedule and cost under control. Working from pre-determinded design requirements, we communicated any changes or concerns to adhere to the set budget. Serving as the lead building systems designer, we worked to engage the local community, pulling in local and minority partners to help Columbus reach its record-setting involvement goals. We’re happy to say that this project was delivered on time and on budget.

The stadium has one of the most unique sports lighting designs in major league soccer. The sports lighting design features an angled lighting layout approach different from standard lighting designs that are often parallel to the field sidelines. The design had to meet the MLS lighting level requirements, but television viewers can see the city of Columbus while watching the game. The stadium also includes a 360-degree canopy, which covers the patrons as well as most of the structures within the stadium grounds. The canopy turns down to become a defining feature of the exterior façade. Henderson utilized creative combinations of mechanical equipment, including VRF condensing units, paired with air handling units, kitchen hood pollution control units, and strategic placements of equipment inlets and outlets to accommodate this unique stadium feature.