SHADING IN SPORT

In recent years, many organizations of different sporting activities have addressed the imperative issue of extreme climate characteristics in stadiums and events. Primarily heat gain and solar presence has demanded a response that provides a more comfortable environment for attendees and participants. For some, shade and heat have provided a tactical advantage by designing systems that particularly make visiting teams uncomfortably warm due to extreme exposure. Undoubtedly, recent and future designs have begun to consider fan experience and comfortability, while many existing stadiums have received expansive retro-fits to incorporate shading systems.

Shade for spectators has long been addressed by architects, especially in the era of Brutalism where large shade structures allowed for engineers and designers to develop complex and elegant systems to harbor spectators.

For example, the Miami Marine Stadium, which is now derelict, was a location of cultural and sports identity for a quickly developing Miami metropolitan area. Its exaggerated concrete roof overhang shades the upper visitors while allowing for an expansive view of the speed boat racing in the basin below.