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ICAHN Stadium - Ricardo Zurita
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Icahn Stadium is the premier outdoor track and field facility in New York City. Since it opened it has been the prime venue for track and field on the East Coast while extensively serving local schools and community groups. Certified by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) as a Class 1 facility, Icahn Stadium is the only publicly-owned facility of its kind in the US with the potential for hosting Olympic trials.
The site placement and orientation addressed the stringent parameters of track and field competition (i.e.: solar orientation and wind direction) and conditions that the master plan for the island, that we developed, suggested would benefit the overall park environment. Of importance was that the design of the stadium provides a significant presence while in the vicinity of two enormous bridges, particularly when seen across the Harlem River from Manhattan.
The design of the stadium reflects the duality of being a community-oriented venue and a world-class facility. The project includes a world-class Mondo track, stadium seating for 5,000 spectators (expandable to 20,000), an adjacent premier playing field, press and television broadcast capabilities, facilities for participants, and food and souvenir concessions.
Ricardo Zurita is an architect based in New York City and principal of Ricardo Zurita Architecture and Planning, P.C. (RZAPS). The firm has produced a wide variety of projects of all scales including master planning and designs for new buildings, renovations and historic preservation. RZAPS has become widely recognized for their long term involvement as lead architects for the redevelopment of Randall’s Island - the largest public park project in New York City in over a half century where they have designed a number of highly praised additions to the island including Icahn Stadium and Sportime/ John McEnroe Tennis Center.
The firm’s portfolio includes projects with significant public impact and a surprisingly wide spectrum of scale and type including master planning and the design of buildings, outdoor spaces, interiors, even public art.
The firm has steered projects through complex processes of rigorous review and public scrutiny, building consensus between groups of stakeholders each with his/her own set of values, responsibilities and expectations, effectively guiding projects to successful conclusions.
For clients renovating existing private spaces or creating new ones, the collaborative approach of the firm works particularly well, as architects, trades and crafts experts, and clients come together to create personal and durable environments that are simultaneously innovative and timeless.
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