North Carolina Central University’s Pearson Cafeteria (Moody Nolan)
The largest Black-owned architecture firm in the nation has been hired to create a plan for a football stadium on the campus of a prestigious university.
Temple University, located in Philadelphia, announced Monday that is has enlisted Moody Nolan to build a new football stadium. The field will be located at Broad Street west to 16th Street and Norris Street south to Montgomery Avenue. The firm’s expertise is in college athletics and recreation, having worked on projects at more than 100 universities around the United States, including Vanderbilt, Penn State and Ohio State, according to The Philadelphia Tribune.
“We look forward to working together with Temple University and the surrounding community,” Moody said to the Tribune. “Creating a vibrant and cohesive streetscape experience that blends together the planned stadium, the significant retail components, the adjacent indoor recreation facility and various pedestrian plaza and green spaces will be a significant part of the evolution of the overall design strategy.”
The Tribune reported that Moody Nolan is collaborating with AECOM, a design firm that has been named one of Fortune magazine’s most admired companies in the world two years in a row, according to AECOM’s website. Langan Engineering and Environmental is another partner, whose website says it has a “reputation for providing innovative solutions.”
“From our academic reputation and admissions to fundraising and research investment, Temple is an institution on the move,” said university President Neil D. Theobald to Temple Now. “Having our own stadium will help showcase our vibrant campus as we celebrate Temple’s accomplishments on and off the field.”
Temple Now reports that funding for the design was approved in February and the university plans to spend no more than $1 million on initial designs. The project will be paid for through private donations and bonds.
“Moody Nolan is regarded as a national leader in designing beautiful sports and recreation facilities that not only fit their purpose but also fit the communities in which they exist,” Theobald said to the Tribune. “We are excited to partner with such an outstanding architectural firm.”
In addition to Temple’s on-campus football stadium, Moody Nolan is also leading the design of a student recreation building located next to the retail and stadium complex, which originally had a price tag of about $130 million for a 35,000-seat facility.
