Tulane University Yulman Stadium
The crown jewel of Tulane University's athletics complex, Yulman Stadium marked a renaissance which returned football back to campus after 40 years.
Tulane University’s original football stadium had been a favorite neighborhood gathering spot for generations of New Orleanians and the site of many iconic Sugar Bowl and Super Bowl games. After demolition of the former stadium in 1979, football games were played downtown at the overscaled Superdome miles from campus. As the last piece of the university’s athletic master plan, the new Yulman Stadium brings college football, and the community, back to campus.
The new stadium is carefully integrated into the dense surroundings of Tulane University’s landlocked urban campus. Nestled into the narrowest part of campus, the project—which connects to the existing Reily, Hertz and Wilson Centers—includes (1) a new pedestrian entry plaza, (2) the new stadium with (3) Benson Field, and (4) a new adjacent Practice Field.
Yulman Stadium is strategically interconnected with the existing Hertz Center—another Multistudio athletics project that was completed in 2011. The two buildings frame the inviting new pedestrian entry plaza. The stadium’s zinc panel system filters light into the concourses and allows for a monumental eastern façade expression that anchors the open space of the entry plaza. The result is a unique place that responds to its particular time and cultural milieu.
Built for fans, yet sensitive to the neighborhood
Sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood context was paramount and influenced design decisions relative to architectural massing and material expression.
Along the east elevation, the perforated metal screening shades concourses and filters light into circulation space while framing views.
The use of pre-engineered seating for three sides of the stadium reduced its height closest to the residential area, resulting in a more comfortable, appropriately scaled neighborhood edge. The west elevation’s materials were carefully selected to shield residents from the stadium’s artificial light and crowd noise.
The north elevation butts up against the new practice field. The practice field cleverly covers a 600,000 gallon underground water detention system, lessening the immediate impact on the city’s storm water pumping station and ensuring every square foot on this tight campus site is utilized to its maximum potential.
Only at Tulane. Only in New Orleans.
From the outset of the design process, the design team held true an underlying mantra, “Only at Tulane. Only in New Orleans.” This idea of a community coming together became a touchstone for every design decision.
The inviting new pedestrian entry plaza with Yulman Stadium and Hertz Center as its backdrop becomes a destination for pre-game processionals from tailgating areas to entry gates—creating a new game day ritual. Outside of football season, the stadium becomes a year-round campus asset as a teaching and gathering place.
The stadium provides standard seating, premium seating, viewing terraces, concessions, club level environments, a multipurpose room, a press box, and visitor locker rooms (the home locker rooms are within the existing Wilson Center).
Premium seating along the home (east) side of the stadium connects to communal “party deck” terraces at either end overlooking the field.
Ride the Green Wave
Concourses are animated with branded wayfinding signage and historical imagery. Fans are able to easily find their way and not only experience the game, but also reminisce about Green Wave history.
Join the club
The Glazer Family Club is a premier club level private lounge space with 1,500 seats, two club rooms including the President’s Suite and Bunker Suite, two bars, expanded concessions, and a large meeting space. The Bunker Suite offers unique views at field level, making one feel a part of the team.
A total game day experience
Yulman Stadium gives Green Wave fans a more intimate environment to cheer on their team and an opportunity for an authentic on-campus tailgating experience.
The new stadium celebrates Tulane’s decorated athletic history and traditions using a modern architectural vocabulary that marries old and new in tandem with branded wayfinding signage and historical imagery for a total game day experience.
Working closely with the central administration and our Athletics department, Multistudio listened to us, helped us refine and focus features important to the campus, the program, our students, and brought our vision to life for Yulman Stadium and the Hertz Center...The results are spectacular. The impact these beautifully designed facilities have had on our campus is immeasurable.Yvette Jones Former Executive Vice President for University Relations and Development, Tulane University
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Location
New Orleans, LA
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Size
218,000 sq.ft.
30,000‑seat capacity with 4,500 premium seats
5,000 sq.ft. multipurpose center
15,000 sq.ft. of suite level programming -
Sustainable Design
LEED Silver
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AIA Kansas
Citation Award, Excellence in Architecture
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AIA New Orleans
Merit Award, Honor Awards Program
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AIA Louisiana
Merit Award, Honor Awards Program
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AIA Gulf States Region
Merit Award, Honor Awards Program
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Associate Architect
Lee Ledbetter & Associates
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Photographers
Tim Griffith, Cory Fontenot, & Patrick Quigley (Gulf Coast Air Photo)
