urbanMSP

For those who are interested, I found some updated renderings of the HNTB proposal according to someone over at skyscrapercity.com...

FOotball balloons!

Most people already know this, but I thought I would post it...

According to the MSFA the construction manager will be selected on February 1st, 2013.

-1 Poncho points in picture four

I really like the idea of using wood, or at least something that looks like wood, on the exterior.

The facade of cockeyed giant cinnamon sticks is certainly quaint looking, and should smell wonderful on game day.

FOotball balloons!

Hahaha I saw those too! Funny how some see a stadium, while others see small football balloons!

I love the responses so far everyone -- it's brightening my day! I actually like the design though (cinnamon sticks and shimmering wood panels and all)! I especially love the concept of the fans being covered by the glass roof while the players endure the elements.....this was something I always wanted for our stadium but couldn't conceptualize on my own -- at least, not like this.

Interesting to see that they kept those LTR station arches in these renderings. I recall someone being concerned that those would go away with the new stadium.

You guys crack me up. Happy Tuesday. Those ponchos are going to be all the rage at our first open air Super Bowl... Dolphins vs Chargers... I can see it now.

I do actually like the screens on top of the existing arches... kinda cool.

Also looks like we've got somebody in yellow-- possible Green Bay-- backed up to the endzone. Yeah, right....

SKOL!

Also looks like we've got somebody in yellow-- possible Green Bay-- backed up to the endzone. Yeah, right....

SKOL!

And as you can clearly see, the opponents will be mesmerized by our skyline and be distracted from the game.....just another "home field advantage" of "The Cinnamon Bun"!!

I've been thinking about it recently, and I'd really like to see a transparent roof.

Its a giant snow fence.

The Cinnamon Bun indeed.

glad they went with HKS. initially was bummed HOK wasn't chosen, but i'm hopeful HKS will produce something forward looking and iconic.

Anyone else think this design is a step backward from this original sketch?

I feel like the only thing that really made it through was the giant cinnamon sticks. I my opinion it ended up looking more like this:

I hope the final HKS design doesn't end up melding into circle with a U-shape slit in the middle like this.
Note: not trying to say these is all bad just that I think we can do better.

IDK, I kind of like the Cinnamon Bun....it's classy, KIND OF subtle (if that's even possible), while also kind of iconic. All while being state of the art and well ahead of most new stadiums in the league. I'm not sure what people were hoping for, but this is one of those projects that may not look as sexy on paper but the final design will blow you away (like a candle on a cupcake)!

I think the new design is great - exactly what I was hoping for, good connection to downtown and really fits the Minneapolis style.

I like the look and feel of the materials. The big difference I see is all the elements that are pitched outward giving a feel of upward motion without anything moving down to counteract them. Like the Bun might float away!
In the original HNTB sketch the had both the outward pitching elements and the downward curving people movers.

The designs that have tried to draw at least some lines back down to the street level have been more appealing to me than those rise straight up for 100'. Probably just some irrational fear that it will be another urban island like the dome.

Also, so no one is confused the pics above are not from the firm that is designing the stadium. Just fun for discussion. We haven't seen anything from HKS the firm hired to design the stadium for awhile. Although possibly soon

Yeah, totally not the actual designs... What I especially don't like about that proposal is that (especially the aerial view) it looks just like the Metrodome, only with better materials, and a roof that opens up... I think HKS is going to give us something that really breaks the mold.

it looks just like the Metrodome

Let it be noted, I didn't say it... but I was thinking it.