Project Description
Overview
The second largest sports arena in Brazil, the 62,160-seat Mineirão Stadium was originally built in 1965. When Belo Horizonte was named one of 12 cities to host the 2014 World Cup, the state government considered the event a landmark in the city’s development, an event expected to generate benefits long after the World Cup is history. Officials immediately recognized the need for a significant Audio/Video and acoustics upgrade to enable the 45-year-old complex to comply with FIFA technical requirements and 21st Century fan expectations.
Program
WSDG was retained to design the Acoustic Program and complete Audio and Video Systems for the entire stadium including all public areas, a total of 300.000 square meters (3,000,000 sq. ft). Mission specs encompass: Inclusive acoustical treatments, a comprehensive sound system, serving the soccer field, audience and, internal spaces such as VIP rooms, access areas, and offices; Video systems, including two large LED video walls (85 square meter/915 sq. ft.) each; Video displays throughout the stadium; And, fully integrated Audio and Video Control Rooms
Design
Primary facility management concerns focused on the level of sound comfort and intelligibility in relation to the RT60 reverberation time required to meet stipulated FIFA STI mandates. Renato Cipriano, Partner/GM, WSDG/Brazil, explains that, “Our sophisticated simulation programs enabled us to assess and ‘auralize’ the entire complex. We identified extensive sound reflections throughout the arena and concluded that acoustical absorption needed to be installed at the inner ring of the audience sector to achieve the required STI values. Speaker positioning was defined for the internal and external areas, and for numerous zoning maps, which can now be individually controlled for increased flexibility and security purposes. All specific audio and video systems, and control room speaker selections, were designed to meet FIFA requirements. Additionally, we recommended incorporating a Video Wall instead of a traditional scoreboard.”