Sports & Public Assembly

Here's How

In the world of large, technically complex venues, what makes the difference between a good project and a great one? At Thornton Tomasetti, we know that first-class engineering is table stakes. Whether it’s new construction, a renovation or ongoing support, what makes us the best choice is the ingenuity, experience and flexibility of our project teams and our process.

Collaborative Concepts

We love to get involved early. To work with architects in exploring a variety of design concepts and then zero in on the right solution. At every stage of a project, we focus on adding value through collaboration. How? By considering how each team member’s work intersects with our own scope and seeking ways to integrate and streamline the process.

Holistic Design

Thornton Tomasetti’s one-of-a-kind mix of expertise offers the opportunity for truly integrated design. With structural; façade; acoustics, noise and vibration; kinetics; sustainability and resilience services, and; protective design and security, you get coordinated interdisciplinary design. 

A suite of specialty modeling and analysis tools allow us to evaluate a range of options in hours, not days. We help keep patrons and staff safer with our innovative crowd dynamics capabilities. And we’ve developed powerful tools for reducing the embodied carbon in the structures and facades we design.

Looking to speed construction and reduce risk? Our Advanced Project Delivery™ brings steel fabricators and erectors on board early to make the transition from design to construction seamless. And we’re leaders in the design of efficient long-span structures – critical for stacked event halls and clear sight lines.

See how we're the leading experts in rigging for concerts, shows and special events

Qualifications

Thinking Outside the Bowl

The stadium is where the game gets played, but it can also anchor a larger sports and entertainment district. The retail, restaurants, hotels and other amenities in these mixed-use developments foster a sense of community and generate revenue. Las Vegas, Detroit and Atlanta – all have benefited from vibrant sports and entertainment districts.

With integrated expertise in structural design, master planning, civil engineering, sustainability and resilience, we’re uniquely qualified to anticipate the needs of both public and private entities involved in these large-scale, complex endeavors. Our goal? To help create districts that feel authentic to sports fan base and the broader community alike.

We've Got Game

Baseball. Football. Soccer. Basketball. Hockey. Tennis. Cricket. Track and field. Aquatics. E-sports. We’ve done all these and more. Whether it’s a new venue or a renovation, we have a team with the experience to make your project a champion.

We bring more to the game than our knowledge of engineering principles. We understand how sports-specific features, such as scoreboard support systems, catwalks and variable-rise and retractable seating interact with structural design. And we’re leaders in the design of efficient long-span structures – critical for stacked event halls and clear sight lines.

When it’s time to update an aging venue, Thornton Tomasetti brings the same technical excellence and collaborative approach to upgrades big and small. Our teams are adept at phasing these projects to accommodate playing seasons – even in the face of inevitable unforeseen conditions. Whether you’re expanding bowls and concourses, replacing an outdated façade or adding adjacent or underground amenity spaces, our multidisciplinary teams can help.

After opening day, we offer a wide range of complementary services that support sports facilities throughout their life cycles. From rigging-load analyses to multihazard risk evaluations and security improvements, sustainability upgrades and routine condition assessments, we work with you to support and enhance the value of the venue. And when it’s time to start fresh, we provide sophisticated analysis and planning for controlled demolition. 

We also have multidisciplinary forensics experts who can respond to problems ranging from gradual deterioration that erodes function to catastrophic events. Our teams perform emergency stabilization, forensic investigation and documentation, insurance and litigation support, and design for repairs.

Beyond the Conventional

Convention centers, civic centers and other public assembly spaces have much in common with sports facilities – but have distinct challenges as well. Often funded by the public or public-private partnerships, these projects combine high expectations with fixed budgets and fast-track schedules. Thornton Tomasetti's unique suite of expertise and services allows our teams to provide unequaled value in the design and construction of these large-scale, high-traffic facilities.

Making a Difference

Great sports and public assembly venues are more than just concrete and steel. They’re game changers for cities, organizations and individuals. With our out-of-the-box outlook, we work in partnership with owners and teammates to push boundaries and explore creative design solutions. We bring expertise that spans disciplines, and an approach that bridges gaps between design and construction. Because we don’t just have a job to do. We have your dreams to achieve.