Gillette Stadium is a 1.7 million-SF open-air structure with 68,000 total seats, including 80 luxury suites, 6,000 club seats and accommodations for an international soccer field. The unique design features a plaza in the north entrance portal to the stadium that is highlighted by an arched bridge and the stadium’s signature light tower, which pays homage to New England’s historic coastal lighthouses.
Over 40,000-SF of space is dedicated to Patriots training facilities. The A/V system includes a state-of-the-art sound system and two HDTV scoreboards/video boards. Skanska provided design-build services on this highly visible project. We value engineered the stadium’s foundation to eliminate $2 million worth of piling from the east side of the stadium, building the stadium on spread footings instead. The structured seating plans for the lower bowl on the west side changed to a simple slab-on-grade, saving millions in excavation and precast structure costs.
The facility’s footprint fell on a large stone outcropping that our team ground up onsite. Much of the processed stone was used for the crane way and access ramp, then reused to create a frost-free zone beneath the cast-in-place seating sections, turning a construction obstacle into added value. Our team delivered the project on an extremely fast-track schedule, completing the project in just over two years.
One of the ways we maximized our efficiency was by crafting an organizational structure that ensured quick and clear communication for our fast-track delivery. We also established a document control center to minimize paper use and to centralize the most recent, accurate information for the whole team’s benefit. Our creative solutions delivered the project both on-time and $8 million under budget.
