Populous-designed BBVA Compass Stadium Earns LEED® Silver Certification

Following a very successful season for the Houston Dynamo, the team has something else to celebrate. The Dynamo’s new home, Populous-designed BBVA Compass Stadium (www.bbvacompassstadium.com), has earned LEED® Silver Certification.

Established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

“Throughout the design process for BBVA Compass Stadium, the design team collaborated with Manhattan Construction and ICON Venue Group to ensure the most sustainable practices were used, positively impacting the team’s bottom line,” said Bruce Beahm, Associate Principal at Populous and project manager for BBVA Compass Stadium. “From an energy efficient roof to preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles, the stadium was designed and engineered to save thousands each year while engaging in sustainable, environmentally friendly construction and operation practices that will positively impact the team and the city for years to come.”

BBVA Compass Stadium has been identified as a pioneering example of new construction and sustainable design. The stadium features that helped BBVA Compass Stadium achieve LEED certification include:

• Diverting 86.85% of the on-site generated construction waste from landfill and providing ample recycling receptacles throughout the facility to encourage fan recycling;
• Reducing water use by 41% from a calculated baseline through the installation of high-energy toilets and non-water;
• Reducing energy use 20.41% using the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 baseline calculation methodology;
• Sourcing 98.42% of the total wood-based building materials from FSC certified forest;
• Providing preferred parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.

“This level of achievement is the result of many companies and individuals working together in order to design, build and operate a state-of-the-art facility,” said BBVA Compass Stadium general manager Doug Hall.  “From the efforts of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority and AEG to identify a sustainable site for the building, to the innovative design by Populous and the construction materials and techniques of Manhattan Construction Company and Icon Venue Group, this has been a focused goal every step of the way. We are proud to have earned the Silver LEED® certification and will continue to operate in the most efficient manner possible to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for our community.”

With offices around the globe, Populous is a design and architecture firm that specializes in ballparks, arenas, stadiums and convention centers. The firm has completed work for more than 24 Major League Baseball Franchises, 40 soccer and rugby teams and has a portfolio of work that includes such icons as the new Yankee Stadium; Sporting Park, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Emirates Stadium; and Citi Field. BBVA Compass Stadium is the fourth stadium Populous has designed in Houston, the others include MinuteMaidPark, Reliant Stadium and ToyotaCenter. With 15 LEED certified projects, including Marlins Park, Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium, totaling $2.7 billion in project costs as well as 11 additional projects registered, the firm is a leader in sustainable sport and event design.

For further information please contact:
media@populous.com