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Customer & product inquiries: AGC’s ETFE Film Has SoFi Stadium Covered for the Big Game!
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While you are watching the Big Game on Sunday, take a minute to look up from the excitement on the field. That’s AGC’s ETFE film covering on Sofi Stadium’s state-of-the-art roof!
Fluon® ETFE is a fluoropolymer film that has been used in some of the world’s most creative architectural structures. This high-performance building material is widely used for membrane structures, facades and roofs.
Using Fluon ETFE fluoropolymer film enables architects to create lightweight, movable, transparent tension membrane structures that are dramatic, colorful and brilliantly illuminated from within. It is durable, transparent and weather-resistant. Although it is far lighter than glass, Fluon ETFE film will withstand even the harshest environments. And because it is so lightweight, ETFE film requires less structural support, which in turn reduces building time and costs.
SoFi Stadium Installation
SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, opened in September 2020 and is home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. It can hold 70,240 people and is expandable to accommodate 100,240 visitors for larger events. It has open sides and houses three venues all covered by one fixed roof.
Using 75,000 square meters of ETFE film, this roof is the largest single-layer-membrane, cable-supported roof in the world. This transparent film structure lets the sun shine into the venue and provides an open feel.
The ETFE film was processed from AGC’s Fluon ETFE resin and was extruded into a film of 250 or 300 microns thick with a custom frit print on the film to reduce solar heat gain. This means stadium fans can enjoy a comfortable climate-controlled environment year-round.
SoFi Stadium Fast Facts
- Architectural designer: HKS, Inc.
- Structural designer: Walter P Moore Engineers and Consultants
- Project manager: Legends Global Planning
- General contractor: Turner/Hunt JV
- Construction started: November 2016
- Stadium construction cost: Approximately 3 billion USD
Fluon ETFE at the 2022 Beijing Winter Events
In addition to being on the NFL’s biggest stage this year, Fluon ETFE film is part of the 2022 winter sporting events in Beijing. Two venues constructed with the film used in the 2008 events have been repurposed this year.
The stadium, known as the “bird’s nest” because of its shape, will host opening and closing ceremonies, as it did 14 years ago. Approximately 50,000 square meters of Fluon ETFE film was used when it was first built.
The aquatics center, known as the “water cube” in 2008, is now dubbed the “ice cube” and will host curling matches. Approximately 300,000 square meters of Fluon ETFE film was used at the time of its original construction.
We’re proud to be a part of the history of these incredible structures. For information on how ETFE film can help bring beauty and function to your architectural project, contact our experts.
SoFi Stadium images courtesy of PFEIFER Structures USA.
