The largest soccer-specific stadium in North America, GEODIS Park, is home to the Nashville Soccer Club. Built on the Nashville Fairgrounds in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, this project takes inspiration from the revitalized historic factories and warehouses that define this area. The goal was to create an authentic site design that reflects the surrounding residential community, honors the industrial past, offers year-round programming, and upholds the legacy of gathering established by the fairgrounds.

The resulting design consists of an industrial, exposed structural steel canopy that allows the venue to activate year-round for events, and residential-style brick-clad ground level structures. The open space surrounding GEODIS Park is a notable feature, with the thousands of square feet that make up the impressive stadium entrance, a large pocket park, and walking paths. An exterior video board was also incorporated to host away game watch parties and various events to provide additional community gathering opportunities.

To meet the aesthetic, durability, and sustainability requirements of this project, Unilock permeable and traditional Hex Pavers™ were chosen for the facility’s entrance plaza and walking paths. Three different colors and textures create vibrant, pixilated paving patterns that lead soccer fans to the stadium and set the tone of expectant excitement before the game or event begins. Meandering pathways transition from a low to high concentration of dark-colored pavers as you approach the doors, creating an easy-to-navigate environment for visitors. The open-graded joints of these pavers also allow for rapid water penetration into the subbase which helps mitigate stormwater runoff, contributing to a resilient and sustainable design.

Landscape Architects: Hawkins Partners.