Design
The design of the 38,826-square-foot stadium establishes a formal building that serves as a sculptural element on campus and a beacon for RIT Athletics. The long, sweeping form enhances engagement with the field, creating a more intimate fan experience. A distinct angled feature at the north distinguishes the main entrance. Sunshade on the west façade adds an architectural element that can be illuminated with full RGB accent lighting. The roof angles downward to break up the façade and draw attention to the player entrance.
Functionality
The building layout focuses on the fan and athlete experience. The first floor is home to a spectator lobby, ticketing area, operations office, public restrooms, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, laundry, training areas, refuse room, and mechanical spaces. Centralized field access creates a tunnel approach for athletes as they enter the field. The layout maximizes space under the seating and provides abundant natural light to offices and training areas.
Each locker room functions as a team room, featuring a kitchenette and central soft seating area. The lockers are highly customized, with programmable LED lighting at the toe kicks, fully vented units at the base, game day hooks, lockable storage, accent lighting for helmet display, and magnetic doors to display player graphics.
The large concourse entry is the first encounter fans have with the stadium, and it provides exciting views of the pitch. The concourse level includes stadium seating for approximately 1,200 spectators, standing room only drink rails, concessions, public restrooms, and a large area to set up merchandise or activity tables. A hidden mechanical area is accessed off the concourse level.
The hospitality/media level includes a catering area, production services, broadcast room, offices, storage, restrooms, and a hospitality suite. The hospitality suite is located atcenter field raised above the concourse to provide a premiere view of the pitch. Immediately adjacent, an enlarged corridor with drink rails and high-top tables provides opportunities for a pre-event space or overflow for the hospitality suite.
Unique Elements
Site Challenges
The existing site conditions on this portion of the campus included poor drainage, a high groundwater table, and proximity to a floodplain which led to frequently unplayable conditions following significant rain events. The design of the new facilities raised the elevation of the field, allowing for stormwater management facilities to operate by gravity. To accomplish this, floodplain compensatory storage was designed and coordinated with the Town of Henrietta’s floodplain administrator.
Working closely with NYSDEC design guidelines, a phased Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) was also incorporated. Expanding the SWPPP disturbance limits and incorporating treatment and attenuation of storms in each phase has been a key success to the phased project approach.
All Electric
Judson Stadium is RIT’s first all-electric building, using an air-source heat pump system with multiple four-pipe air handling units featuring chilled water and heating hot water coils with energy/heat recovery, as well as zone controls with VAV boxes and electric reheat coils. The design reduces site energy intensity (EUI) by 40% and greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 50% compared to a baseline building.
Extensive Collaboration
Ongoing collaboration with an expansive group of RIT stakeholders including Facilities Management Services, Dining Services, Information Technology Services, Environmental Health & Safety, University Production Services, Marketing and Communications, University Advancement, University Arenas, Athletics, and University Senior Leadership was essential to the project’s success.
LaBella is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with RIT through the design of Judson Stadium and field sports enhancements, which reflects not just an investment in athletics, but in the overall campus experience. Over the past five years, the playing surfaces and spectator amenities for track & field, baseball & softball, soccer, and lacrosse have been transformed into a premier athletic corridor on campus. Focused on the student-athlete and fan experiences, the Judson Stadium provides top tier team room and training facilities while creating an immersive game-day experience for the fans.” Jerry DeRomanis, AIA
Vice President & Higher Education Studio Manager
Featured Press
Additional coverage about Judson Stadium can be found in the following publications below.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Marked Start of New Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium
In April 2024, LaBella was honored to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for RIT’s new approximately 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art soccer and lacrosse stadium—the final component of an athletic facilities upgrade project initiated in 2020.
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