Precast Superstructure Gives Princeton University Stadium Distinctive Flair

Princeton Universityʹs new multi-million dollar stadium, seating about 28,000 spectators, replaces the original structure built in 1914. Designers faced a series of challenges, including a desire to create a distinctive look and a facility to be used year-round. The stadium was conceived as a design based on performance specifications on a fast-track schedule. The structure consists of a horseshoe-shaped building surrounding lower bowl-style seating and three upper trapezoidal-shaped sections. The upper seating consists of precast concrete triple risers with built-in slots that allow daylight through to brighten the concourse underneath. Precast concrete is also used for columns, floors, stairs, shear walls, and other parts of the stadium. This article presents the conceptual design and design features of the structure, and shows how precast concrete provided the aesthetics, structural support, and facilitated erection of the stadium.