More than a sports and entertainment destination, SoFi Stadium is an homage to Southern California. Can you talk about what makes it an iconic civic gesture and in what ways it provides an authentic SoCal experience?
The building itself is iconic but the intent was to also invest in the amenities outside the building, such as the 2.5-acre plaza and lake park, which really gives something back to the greater community that can be enjoyed by all. That is what truly makes this project unique
SoFi Stadium celebrates the essence of Los Angeles and Southern California. As the first indoor/outdoor stadium, it really takes advantage of the amazing weather. Not only does it capture the region’s love of the outdoors, it also embraces California’s leadership on sustainability. The landscaping, designed byStudio MLA, encompasses the geography of the region by creating a series of five microclimates around the building letting each side speak to a different part of California.
The diversity of L.A. foodie culture is also reflected: Each bar along the Level 02 Concourse highlights a different aspect of the local food scene. There's sushi, a champagne bar, burgers or mexicali tacos—all of those things are a nod to different foodie neighborhoods. I mean, we could just serve hamburgers and hotdogs, right? But that wouldn't necessarily reflect all that L.A. has to offer. We wanted to create an experience that felt authentic.
Below: Landscape designers Studio MLA drew from the geography of the region creating five microclimates throughout the building. Photo by Nic Lehoux