The iconic Astrodome in Houston, which has been closed for fifteen years, continues to be a captivating and imaginative landmark. A group of architects and engineers recently earned recognition for their idea to revitalize the “eighth wonder of the world.” The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) holds an annual competition to transform existing structures into something new, and this year’s challenge was to create a modern and eco-friendly Astrodome. The winning entry came from a team that included University of Houston (UH) architecture professor Mili Kyropoulou. Their proposal involves turning the stadium into a dining and retail space with a 500-room hotel, a botanical garden, and a sports history museum. The team drew inspiration from the surrounding area, including the NRG stadium, nearby neighborhoods, and rail connections. Their design includes opening up the building’s east side to create a promenade that connects to the light rail. Renderings show an indoor street surrounding a 45,000-square-foot garden, with the structure divided by use. The lower level will house shops, restaurants, and bars, while the upper levels will be dedicated to the hotel and an immersive museum. The design also prioritizes minimizing the stadium’s environmental impact by incorporating solar-powered technology and energy-efficient lighting and ventilation systems. While the concept is currently theoretical and has not been commented on by the facility’s owners, the team hopes that their vision will inspire others to preserve and integrate the Astrodome into the surrounding environment.
A New Vision Emerges: Design Team Unveils an Exciting Second Act for Houston’s Astrodome
