New Zealand Completes the World’s First Daylit Enclosed Turf Stadium

Dunedin, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/shigura-ban-unveils-towering-cardboard-cathedral-for-christchurch/" target="_blank">New Zealand</a> is now home to the world’s first completely enclosed natural turf stadium. Designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/populous-unveils-lush-green-master-plan-of-2014-youth-olympic-games-in-nanjing-china/" target="_blank">Populous</a>, the <a href="http://www.forsythbarrstadium.co.nz" target="_blank">Forsyth Barr Stadium</a> was completed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The stadium, which can accommodate up to 31,000 fans, features an innovative UV blocking roof, protecting fans and players below.

The design team spent months researching the perfect material to use for the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/partially-submerged-sports-complex-in-madrid-emulates-surrounding-foliage/" target="_blank">stadium</a>’s unique roof, and finally agreed upon Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene, or ETFE. The space industry plastic blocks UV rays, while allowing sunlight through, allowing the stadium to be mostly naturally lit.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cloud-9s-incredible-inflatable-bubble-building-opens-in-barcelona/" target="_blank">ETFE</a> also allows life-giving sunlight to reach the natural turf growing below, enabling the natural photosynthesis process to take place, without being effected by the harsh elements of the weather.

The enclosed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/herzog-de-meuron-unveil-plans-for-solar-powered-stadium-in-bordeaux/" target="_blank">arena</a> has endless possibilities, aside from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gary-neville-unveils-plan-to-turn-soccer-into-the-ultimate-green-sport/" target="_blank">football</a> and rugby. Being shielded from the weather, it can be used year round, as a highly efficient public domain. Concerts, conventions and other ceremonies can take place during off seasons.

Ventilation slots are located throughout the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/london-unveils-groundbreaking-recyclable-basketball-stadium-for-2012-olympic-games/" target="_blank">stadium</a> to ensure proper air circulation. The transparent roof also extends down the end of the building to create an open feeling, so visitors feel that they are outdoors, even though enclosed.

The seating angles also emphasize this, while bringing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/football-legacy-center-in-santa-cruz-brazil-raises-awareness-of-homelessness/" target="_blank">spectators</a> closer to the action.

The enclosure also means that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/seattle-seahawks-stadium-boasts-largest-solar-array-in-washington-state/" target="_blank">the stadium</a> can maintain better growing grass, unaffected by snow, wind or rain, the temperature on the interior can be maintained, not only saving on maintenance costs, but ensuring not one game will be rained or snowed out.