Brendan Walsh is a Senior Structural Engineer in Buro Happold’s New York office where he specializes in structural design applied on projects through all design phases, from concept to construction. Brendan has worked on projects in a variety of sectors, namely commercial and sports. Most notably, he assisted in the design, analysis, and construction phases for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Prior to joining Buro Happold, Brendan graduated from the University of Nebraska’s Architectural Engineering program.
The multi-purpose Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the new home of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United (MLS) accommodates 80,000 fans and occupies almost two million square feet near downtown Atlanta. Costing approximately $1.5 billion to construct, the stadium contains many innovative design features including an unprecedented 8-panel cantilevered retractable roof, one of the largest scoreboards in sports, the longest two-way structure in the US, the first use of single skin ETFE in the US, and the first LEED Platinum credential for an NFL stadium. Through collaborative and integrated design, and by striving for constructability, innovation and sustainability, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will stand as a shining example of architectural engineering and an icon for Atlanta long into the future.
This presentation will cover the roof design, analysis techniques, innovative construction efficiencies and architectural integration necessary to create this iconic entertainment venue.