Construction and layout CenturyLink Field

the stadium under construction in 2001

the architectural firm ellerbe becket, in association loschky marquardt & nesholm architects of seattle, designed 1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m) project. allen closely involved during design process. while growing attended games @ university of washington s outdoor husky stadium. goal create similar experience , atmosphere @ new venue. exhibition center portion of project designed on period of 14 months loschky marquardt & nesholm architects while first & goal managed construction. town meetings held discuss impact on public, , company created $6 million mitigation fund nearby neighborhoods. in accordance program established building team, contracts totaling $81 million awarded minority- , women-owned businesses. union apprentices made 19% of workforce through program local trade unions.

in september 1998 construction began on new exhibition center , parking garage. october 1999 exhibition center open , hosting events. on march 26, 2000, make way stadium, kingdome demolished in world s largest implosion of single concrete structure. of kingdome rubble recycled half used new stadium. designers challenged soft soil @ site since tidal marsh until public works projects in 20th century adjusted waterline of nearby elliott bay. top layer soft fill taken grading projects had leveled portions of seattle s hills. account soft soil, complex sits on over 2,200 pilings driven 50 70 ft (15 21 m) below ground form pier foundation. 8 individually connected sections built account soil concerns, temperature effects, , potential earthquakes. adjoining exhibition center , parking garage separate structures , not part of eight-section stadium.

the stadium after completion in 2002

the site of centurylink field smallest of developed new nfl stadiums. upper levels cantilevered on lower sections fit within limited space. along angle of seats , placement of lower sections closer field, provided better view of field typically seen throughout country , allowed 67,000-seat capacity. space available increase total capacity 72,000 special events. included in capacity 111 suites , on 7,000 club seats. stadium has 1,400 seats disabilities , companions located in various sections. in 2009 centurylink field ranked 21st out of 31 stadiums in nfl total seating capacity.

the configuration of centurylink field u-shape open north end provide views of downtown seattle , large north plaza. large retractable roof of safeco field along mount rainier southeast can seen partially open south end. stadium s concourses built wide, , provide additional views of surrounding area. 13-story tower erected @ north end of stadium visually complements seattle skyline. tower features vertically oriented scoreboard first of kind in nfl. @ base bleacher seating 3,000 called hawks nest . addition not seen in nfl field-level luxury suites located directly behind north end zone.

the roofs of centurylink field , safeco field

allen rejected plans retractable roof during stages of stadium s design. lack of retractable roof made open elements, provided better views, , reduced total cost of project. roof, @ 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m), covers 70% of seats leaves field open. roof spans 720 ft (220 m) between concrete pylon supports @ north , south ends of stadium. 2 expansive sections held below trusses. above, 2 arches additional supports rise 200 ft (61 m) on field. post-tensioned cables used achieve final shape , positioning. minimize damage in event of earthquake, roof has friction pendulum damper system. disconnects roof support pylons can move independently of structure. technology had never been applied large-scale roof before centurylink field.

the roof painted white aesthetically distinguish both safeco field , nearby industrial area. east side of stadium has large glass curtain wall faces nearby international district. exterior of stadium consists of salmon-colored concrete, , west side of structure partially clad red brick. coloring , facade designed stadium blend older buildings in neighboring pioneer square. reduce costs, exterior not completed brick or ornate steel work.

a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck seattle area during construction. structure responded expected designers, , there minimal damage. project completed on budget , month ahead of schedule.

in 2015, stadium expanded addition of toyota fan deck including new 12 flag raising platform. expansion privately funded seahawks , 1,000 additional seats made available purchase current season ticket holders blue pride waiting list season tickets. additional seating pushed capacity of stadium 69,000-plus.