As I've watched the progress of construction on Kyle Field I've often thought I wish they made the exterior a little more aesthetically appealing, although not quite knowing what I would like it to look like.

I've seen complaints on the rant and elsewhere criticizing our stadium cost with results (i.e., polishing a turd). So, I thought I would check out some other stadiums in comparison of aesthetics.

From r/CFB 10 most expensive stadiums (original link):

1. TCF Bank Stadium $330MM
Nothing special here. Boring brick facade with columns.



2. Alamodome $301MM

3. Husky Stadium $287MM
Take away the scenery and this stadium is nothing. Again with the upgraded brick facade.


4. Michigan Stadium $238MM
A huge bowl. That's it. Nothing special about the exterior, much like every other brick facade.


5. Ohio Stadium $212MM
That coliseum look.


6. Papa Johns Cardinals Stadium $193MM

7. High Points Solutions Stadium $166MM

8. Neyland Stadium $137MM
It's big. It's symmetrical. Exterior similar to other schools.


9. Jones At&T Stadium $115MM
Now some may say tech has a more attractive exterior, which I always thought was inspired by Doak Campbell Stadium, as it is more than a brick facade. Looks like a Hampton Inn to me.


10. Beaver Stadium $105MM
I've been to a game here. Exterior skeleton is just ugly.


Now, I like the interior design of Kyle because it is different compared to more traditional horseshoes and bowls,



but then again I've always liked Ben Hill Griffin, for the same reason, which some have also stated is ugly



and our exterior



is comparable to other stadiums. So, this argument that we are polishing a turd is originating from some where other than an unbiased critique.

Kyle looks good. Can't wait to see it finished and take my two boys to a game.

Edit: McLane Stadium ($260MM) on the Brazos is a great idea. I give 'em that.

But yeah, the exterior brings to mind 70's design




[This message has been edited by AGinHI (edited 8/26/2014 9:49p).]

add to your post the exterior of baylor's new stadium and you'll see how lucky we got

Nice post. Love photos of cool construction projects.

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Cal Memorial $330MM
Coliseum style.


Amon G. Carter $164MM
The fans love it. Looks like a prison to me.


For its size, I like the interior however



[This message has been edited by AGinHI (edited 8/26/2014 10:08p).]

I like the look of new Kyle...

Amon Carter is seriously a good spot to watch a football game when the fan base is fired up. So once a season....

I'm interested to see how our concourses stack up to other top stadiums

Carter is definitely a nice facility. too bad it's empty for most of the season...




The Swamp isn't immune either:



[This message has been edited by Capt. America (edited 8/26/2014 11:59p).]

Well, to each his own, I guess. Most of those look odd to me in one way or another. But, I guess most were remodels just like Kyle.

I've never cared for the exposed metal infrastructure look. Reminds me of erector sets and makes me wonder about the safety of the design.

Thinking of safety...I also wonder about the safety of the new Kyle once the swaying gets going.

Also, the Tech stadium looks utterly ridiculous. Looks to me like they just tried to plop a Windsor Castle knock-off onto the front. Gross.

[This message has been edited by Caesar4 (edited 8/27/2014 12:21a).]

I don't understand the gripes about Kyle's new exterior. Especially seeing all those other pics/stadiums now. I think the exterior upgrade not only looks amazing, but unique and imposing. Does a tremendous job of mixing modern with classic. The exposed metal sets it apart in really cool way, I think. There's a purpose to the look.

If anything, in my opinion, it's the interior that's lacking any kind of aesthetic. I do appreciate that it's different, but it just looks too piecemeal compared to those other stadiums. And the fact that the student section isn't perfectly centered with the field now drives me nuts. But whatever. This is nothing that hasn't been discussed a thousand time already.

Overall, I'm perfectly happy with what we're getting.

Thanks for posting, OP.

[This message has been edited by TCTTS (edited 8/27/2014 12:35a).]

Also, those of you who haven't seen the new facade in person, as cliched as this sounds, pictures absolutely do not do it justice. It's MASSIVE. Looks even more solid/impressive in person.

Two things:

1) People complaining about Kyle at this point are morons. They are not even half way done. One of the big complaints is "It looks half-assed and piece meal." Well, duh. It is. And it will look that way until well into 2015, maybe even through part of that season.

2) Amon Carter is a very nice facility. The picture posted of the facade is from the uglier side (and AGAIN before it was complete). The other side of the stadium is even nicer. It's a bit of a sterile environment and they do have some attendance issues, but the facility itself was very well done. BTW, that attendance pic was taken at halftime. At TCU, you can leave at halftime and re-enter, so everyone goes out to the parking lot to drink. Yes, it's kind of lame and results in people leaving halfway through the 2nd quarter, and about half of those people coming back in late in the 3rd quarter, the other half not at all, but it's not an accurate reflection of attendance. There are also covered plazas where people hang out to escape the heat and sun instead of in their seats. You can see that in the photo.

[This message has been edited by Worm01 (edited 8/27/2014 1:20p).]

What's with the poor Raccoon video?

Having seen the Bidet on the Brazos in person, I have to give them props. Horseshoe shape is very standard but it looks incredible. Being right on the river is a nice touch too. As much as I hate them, I have to admit, one thing Baylor has going for them is how nice their facilities are on campus, including the new stadium.

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Having seen the Bidet on the Brazos in person, I have to give them props. Horseshoe shape is very standard but it looks incredible. Being right on the river is a nice touch too. As much as I hate them, I have to admit, one thing Baylor has going for them is how nice their facilities are on campus, including the new stadium.

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It looks nice until you can't un-notice that it's a toilet bowl.

The picture above of Baylor's makes their stadium look like some new city municipal building.

I echo Worm's comments about Amon Carter. Some stagger off to drink. Some stagger to find a restroom. The rest stagger off to get more mixers. They are all staggering.

this doesn't have anything to do about the architecture of the stadium but I don't know why tcu would build a new stadium and not install speakers throughout the stadium and just install a wall of speakers on either side of video board

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I also wonder about the safety of the new Kyle once the swaying gets going.

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You should have called the engineers earlier to make sure they knew about the swaying. Too late now, I guess we're ****ed.