Architectural Cases

The Italian architectural practice Studio Fuksas is strongly advocating for the preservation of its Rike Concert Hall in Tbilisi, urging a reconsideration of its proposed demolition and the exploration of alternative uses for the structure. Over the past year, Studio Fuksas has made numerous attempts to engage with Tbilisi officials and the building's current owners to discuss potential solutions, including repurposing the iconic building to avoid its premature destruction, yet their overtures have been met with silence.

Reports from the Georgian press recently indicated that a permit for the demolition of the Rike Park concert hall had been issued by the Tbilisi city government. Constructed between 2010 and 2012 with approximately 40 million euros in public funds, the concert hall has remained vacant for 15 years. It was subsequently sold in 2022 for around 10 million euros and is now under private ownership. Studio Fuksas highlights that proceeding with the demolition would not only signify a substantial cultural loss for an internationally acclaimed architectural work but would also necessitate further public expenditure, contrasting sharply with the potential for its reuse and regeneration.

Studio Fuksas has expressed profound disappointment regarding the decision to demolish the building and the complete lack of dialogue from the city and the building's owners. They emphasize that in over six decades of professional practice, this marks the first instance where one of their projects faces demolition without any opportunity for discussion on alternatives. The studio remains convinced that Tbilisi has a unique chance to transform this unfinished project into a powerful symbol of regeneration, innovation, and international openness, a chance they believe should not be squandered.

Preserving and repurposing existing architectural marvels like the Rike Concert Hall is a testament to foresight and commitment to sustainable urban development. It not only honors the artistic vision of its creators but also demonstrates a community's dedication to cultural heritage and responsible resource management, transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation and public enrichment.

Experience the Future of Entertainment: Where Technology Meets Grandeur!

An Architectural Vision: Pioneering the Future of Stadium Design

SoFi Stadium, developed by HKS, marks a significant milestone in global sports architecture, distinguishing itself through its profound integration of technology. As a key venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this facility has consistently captured international attention, establishing a new benchmark for technologically advanced sports arenas worldwide. Its inception in September 2020 saw the transformation of a 300-acre site, formerly the Hollywood Park racetrack, into a vibrant sports and entertainment hub, centered around the colossal 3.1 million-square-foot stadium, primarily dedicated to NFL games.

Hosting Elite Events: A Hub for Global Sporting Spectacles

Serving as the esteemed home for both the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, this iconic venue has a storied history of hosting major events. Its impressive roster includes Super Bowl LVI, the 2023 College Football National Championship, and matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with plans to also host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic Games. The stadium, a $5.5 billion indoor-outdoor marvel, offers seating for approximately 70,000 spectators, featuring 260 luxury suites and 13,000 premium seats, with the flexibility to expand its capacity to 100,000. Additionally, it boasts 12 distinct club spaces and seven exclusive suite experiences, solidifying its status as the most expensive stadium globally.

Innovative Design Philosophy: Crafting an Immersive Technological Environment

Mark A. Williams, a partner and executive vice president at HKS, emphasized the design's primary objective: to fully immerse attendees in a technological environment. Recognizing its location within the world's entertainment capital, the vision extended beyond a mere football venue, aiming to forge a global stage. The complex's defining feature is its majestic, wave-like roof canopy, which gracefully shades the stadium, the 2.5-acre American Airlines Plaza, and the 6,000-seat YouTube Theater. This transparent canopy, supported by blade columns, is composed of a structural steel shell, a compression ring, and a cutting-edge cable-net system, all covered by lightweight, transparent ETFE plastic.

Structural Engineering Mastery: A Symphony of Steel and Advanced Materials

The construction of the roof canopy involved an extraordinary feat of engineering, utilizing 31 preassembled steel sections that necessitated one of the world's largest cranes for installation. This intricate structure houses 1,800 tonnes of cables, spanning 17.8 miles, forming the globe's most extensive wire frame cable system and the first of its kind in the United States. Covering this framework are 309 ETFE panels, each measuring 1,200 square feet. These panels offer 90 percent of glass's strength at only one percent of its weight, showcasing an impressive balance of durability and lightness.

Climate-Responsive Architecture: Harnessing Nature's Elements for Comfort

The stadium's design is meticulously calibrated to the local climate, featuring 46 operable roof panels that facilitate the release of hot air. Additionally, 14 asymmetrical picture frame panels on the east and west sides of the canopy are designed to draw in air, effectively lowering the ambient temperature by 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 degrees Celsius) despite its open-air configuration. Williams highlighted that the building's climate controls were developed using a century's worth of historical weather data from LAX and Hawthorne airports. Sensors in the upper seating bowl continuously monitor temperature and humidity, ensuring that attendees can enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes, enhancing the open-air experience.

A Spectacle from Above: The Rooftop Video Technology

Adding another layer of technological sophistication, HKS ingeniously incorporated video technology disks onto the roof's exterior. This transforms the canopy into a dynamic video screen, visible to the 76.5 million travelers who annually fly in and out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located just three miles away. Passengers can view live-streamed footage, sponsorship messages, or promotional content as their flights approach or depart, offering a unique aerial viewing experience.

Unprecedented Digital Immersion: The Infinity Screen Experience

The stadium's commitment to digital technology is immediately evident. Upon its opening, SoFi Stadium unveiled the largest videoboard in sports history. This immense 70,000-square-foot (6,500-square-metre) digital LED screen, weighing 998 tonnes, is the first-ever dual-sided, center-hung videoboard. Dubbed the Infinity Screen by Samsung, it spans 1.2 times the length and 1.5 times the width of the playing field, with panels reaching two to four stories high. Suspended 122 feet (37 meters) above the field and 70 feet (21 meters) below the roof, it offers an unparalleled visual spectacle.

Interactive Engagement: The Apex of Graphics and Audio Systems

The Infinity Screen boasts the most advanced graphics control system ever deployed in sports, featuring 80 million pixels spaced 8 millimeters apart. This allows for dynamic programming of live video feeds, statistics, and animated content, either uniquely across different sections or congruently across the entire display. Complementing the visual grandeur, the screen integrates over 260 embedded speakers, delivering audio power equivalent to 1,500 home theater systems. Additionally, matrix boards encircling the seating bowl provide a continuous ticker tape of information, ensuring an engaging and interactive experience for all spectators.

Seamless Integration: Elevating the Fan Experience with Smart Technology

Williams emphasized the design team's focus on integrating how individuals consume entertainment and information in their daily lives, mirroring the constant flow of content across multiple devices. The aim was to augment the live entertainment experience with additional data, enriching and heightening it from the outset. SoFi Stadium leverages integrated technologies at every touchpoint of a visit. Prior to arrival, guests use the SoFi app for mobile tickets, parking passes, and navigational maps, streamlining their entry process.

Enhanced Security and Convenience: AI-Powered Screening and Mobile Transactions

In 2022, the venue partnered with Evolv Technology to implement AI-based security screening tools. This innovation allows visitors to bypass traditional long queues and the need to empty pockets, instead walking through advanced weapons detection sensors upon entry. Once inside, guests can conveniently purchase concessions and merchandise using their cell phones, collecting food and beverages from kiosks with a simple tap. This not only reduces waiting times but also ensures fans spend more valuable moments enjoying games and performances. Williams highlighted that this seamless integration means visitors are "never disconnected from the global stage," showcasing how the building itself becomes a character that enhances the overall experience.

HKS's Global Impact: Shaping the Future of Sports Architecture

HKS, a globally recognized leader in sports and entertainment architecture, continues to push boundaries with its innovative projects. Beyond SoFi Stadium, the firm is actively designing a colonnaded stadium for the Washington Commanders, a distinctive winged layout for the controversial Cleveland Browns venue, and a Maori-inspired sports landmark for the All Blacks rugby team in Auckland, New Zealand. These diverse projects underscore HKS's commitment to creating iconic and technologically advanced architectural masterpieces worldwide.