In 2007, Duke University embarked on a major effort to upgrade athletic department facilities on campus in order to enhance both the game day atmosphere for fans and the overall student-athlete experience.
Focusing on the football program and its 1929 Wallace Wade Stadium, the University sought improvements to practice facilities and competition venues, in order to bring both in line with Duke’s reputation as an academic and athletic powerhouse.
Duke selected RATIO to prepare a Master Plan for the Wallace Wade Stadium improvements, to be carried out in four phases.
Phase one includes a new stair terrace connection to the basketball practice facility, upper terrace, north gate, ticket pavilion, a rose garden with a stair terrace and Wallace Wade sculpture, lower plaza with concessions and accessible rest rooms, new scoreboard and alumni terrace, peristyle columns with conference flags and Iron Dukes court.
Phase two of the master plan focuses on the sides of the stadium. It includes a covered peristyle, new “soft boxes” and accessible seating, concession and rest room buildings, west gate entry development, east gate entry development, a new President’s box and suites, and a renovated façade of the Finch‑Yeager building. Phase three includes an addition to the Murray building and new east gate buildings. Phase four focuses on the stadium itself. It includes the lowering of the playing surface, new stadium seating to add 4,000 seats, a south end zone redevelopment and the east gate promenade and parking improvements.
Improvements to Wallace Wade are designed for LEED certification.
RATIO also completed the schematic design and bridging documents for the Pascal Field House, an indoor football practice field delivered as a design/build project.
The Field House, nestled in the North Carolina forest adjacent to Wallace Wade Stadium, involves the re-turf and expansion of an existing exterior practice field and an indoor full-field multipurpose practice facility with two video observation platforms and a training room. The exterior is clad with translucent panels that provide abundant natural light and a University blend brick base that connects the building to campus.
Finally, RATIO designed the Brooks Football Facility, which provides locker rooms, shower facilities, training rooms and a media room. While used predominantly for visiting teams, it is also an additional resource facility for Duke Athletics.
“When completed in 2016, Duke’s football facilities will rank among the finest in college athletics – on a scale appropriate for the University.” - Dr. Kevin White, Duke University Vice President and Director of Athletics
“We are truly maximizing the money we raise… We are transforming the athletics campus.” - Tom Coffman, Duke University Deputy Director of Athletics/Development
