Answer: The Louisiana Superdome is a New Orleans sports arena designed by Nathaniel "Buster" Curtis of Curtis & Davis and Associated Architects. The contractors were Huber, Hunt & Nichols.
Completed in 1975, the Superdome has been described as the world's largest domed structure in the world (measuring the interior floor area). Fixed dome construction fell from popularity in the 1990s, and several other domed stadiums have closed.
The Louisiana Superdome was designed to resist winds up to 200 miles per hour. However, in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina's 145 mph winds blew away two sections of Superdome roof while more than 10,000 people sought shelter inside. Although the roof needed repair, the Superdome remained structurally sound.
Facts About the Superdome
- Land space: 52 acres (210,000 m²) of land
- Interior space of the dome: 125,000,000 ft³ (3,500,000 m²)
- Height: 253 feet (82.3 meters)
- Dome diameter: of 680 feet (210 meters)
- Total floor area: 269,000 ft² (25,000 m²)
- Maximum seating: 72,003 for football, 69,703 for hockey, 55,675 for basketball, and 63,525 for baseball
- Construction cost: cost $134 million
Roof Construction The roof of the Superdome is steel with a layer of polyurethane and a thin layer of a Dupont waterproofing material called Hypalon. It took 162 days to spray on the Hypalon coating. Read more about the Superdome construction at
ballparks.com The Superdome After Katrina
(Note: Published shortly after Hurricane Katrina, these news articles reflect the damage present at that time. Links to news sites may change or expire without notice.)
The Superdome Reborn
Soon after Hurricane Katrina victims sought shelter in the Louisiana Superdome, the roof damage was repaired and the facility reopened as the home of the New Orleans Saints. Recently several upgrades made the Superdome one of the most advanced sports facilities in the United States. More: Superdome Getting Bigger and Better
