Follow our LEED: How the College Football Hall of Fame was Built with the Earth in Mind

The College Football Hall of Fame was established in 1951 to immortalize the game’s greatest coaches and players as role models for future generations. This vision shaped many facets of the design for the new College Football Hall of Fame from construction to unique experiences. Sustainability was critically important to the project to ensure we protect future generations as well as inspire them.  

As we celebrate our 8th Earth Day since opening in August 2014 with our LEED Silver certification, we reflect on the innovative solutions implemented during construction and strive for continuous improvement in all areas of our building.  

Beginning with our location in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the site was thoughtfully selected to provide easy access to sustainable transportation methods including bicycles and MARTA, the rapid transit system, for both guests and team members.  Today, we provide complimentary public transportation to all our employees and accommodations for those that choose to walk or bike to work.

During construction, recycling scrap metal and wood was a top priority and strict processes were put in place and operationally, we remain vigilant in our waste recycling efforts.

A prominent feature in our sustainable design is the fabric roof covering our indoor football field.  It’s not something guests would notice, but it is doing major environmental work.  Manufactured with Birdair TensothermTM, the heat-reflecting, tensile membrane roofing system improves thermal performance with an 8mm layer of aerogel insulation sandwiched between two layers of structural PTFE fabric.

To illuminate the 95,000 sq. ft. facility and the thousands of priceless artifacts throughout the building, the lighting system is comprised of over 3,000 lamps and fixtures, 95% of which are either LED or fluorescent.  Additionally, our water usage, HVAC systems and storm drains operate by very specific energy and conservation criteria.  

We strive every day to make a lasting impression on the thousands of guests who visit us each month, and it is equally important to minimize the impression we leave on our environment. The above are just a few of the construction and operational initiatives that ensured we earned and continue to retain our LEED certification and with the values represented by those we honor – teamwork, dedication, perseverance and excellence – we will continue our work ensuring the Hall of Fame stands the test of time.
 

By Shawn Teske, VP, Operations & Guest Experience, Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame