Google sketch-up of old stadium

[Dan Rydell]

Google has a new program called sketch-up, which is an easy-to-learn 3D design-type program.

Anyway, I fooled around with it tonight and came up with these snapshots of what old stadium might have looked like had KSU renovated it instead of building a new stadium.

stadium view #1
stadium view #2
stadium view from Ahearn
stadium view from end zone suites

[fatty fat fat]

I'd be pimp if the football stadium was on campus.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Imagine the parking.  It would be worse than in lowrents.

[Dan Rydell]

Imagine the parking.  It would be worse than in lowrents.

No kidding...the high-dollar donors would have the parking lots by the Union and across from the stadium...leaving only 45,000 more people needing a place to park.  Well, students for the most part would walk, probably...but still, it would not be good.

Tailgating at the Greek houses would be fun, though.

[Bookie Pimp]

I'm still dumbfounded by the thought that moving from Ahearn Fieldhouse was somehow a good idea...  It is truly saddening that the original stadium was not improved and enlarged back when BSFS was initially built.

A vintage style "sports complex" in the heart of town would be simply awe-inspiring.

 

[swish1]

that is an absolutely awesome program and props to you bslmiz b/c that is sweet.  although people have already mentioned the parking problem i would still love to have had ahearn renovated and play football at old stadium.

[ew2x4]

Sketch up has been out a long while before Google bought it. Anyways, it is a great program. Maybe add seats? You may need a pretty powerful PC, but it could be cool. Also check out the Google Earth plugin.

[michigancat]

That would be worth a short walk through campus.  F'ing sweet.

[sonofdaxjones]

As I understand i,, hydrology (water table) issues kept KSU from doing much more with the Old Stadium.   One of the legit reasons (the rest was a rush to judgement in my view) for not renovating Ahean was the fact it would have had to have been completely shutdown for over a year ... causing huge logistics headaches. 

Also, if you saw the collegian yesterday, and also per someone I know in the Architectural Community, KSU is waiting on the concept drawings for a whole bunch more stuff at the football stadium and Bramlage.

With the Grain Science Complex, and the Jardine Renovation, the sports complex will become more integrated into campus in the coming years.

[michigancat]

Was a GIA-style expansion/renovation not possible?

[FBWillie]

If they had done that, they would have to find a new place to stick all the Art majors... Ceramics, Sculpture, etc.  Guess they could cram them in with the Music Dept.... The other guys on campus that gets absolutely no funding.   

[michigancat]

My grandpa used to live in dorms in old stadium.

[Stillwater Cat]

I'd be pimp if the football stadium was on campus.

What are you saying?  I thought you were already pimp?.... along with bookie of course!

[sonofdaxjones]

Was a GIA-style expansion/renovation not possible?

Here's how it was explained to me, and it made sense because I spent a ton of time in Ahearn back in the Day.

GIA had an "inner" ring which supported the upper level of the building.  On Ahearn, the balconey was supported by the outer wall super structure.  To "pop the top" meant that they would've had to mess to much with the outer wall aka the superstructure which held the roof and the balconey up.  It would't have been safe.   

But I'll admit, the Bramlage decision was made in haste.   They could've done up Ahearn really cool, but the other issue was the logistics.

I also know that area around memorial stadium has so many issues with water.  Building additional superstructure on top, would've created so much pressure on the sub soil it would've pushed the water table up.  That's what an engineer told me anyway. 

[Saulbadguy]

Jardine is going to look awesome. I wish I could live there when it was complete.

[michigancat]

Was a GIA-style expansion/renovation not possible?

Here's how it was explained to me, and it made sense because I spent a ton of time in Ahearn back in the Day.

GIA had an "inner" ring which supported the upper level of the building. On Ahearn, the balconey was supported by the outer wall super structure. To "pop the top" meant that they would've had to mess to much with the outer wall aka the superstructure which held the roof and the balconey up. It would't have been safe.

But I'll admit, the Bramlage decision was made in haste. They could've done up Ahearn really cool, but the other issue was the logistics.

I also know that area around memorial stadium has so many issues with water. Building additional superstructure on top, would've created so much pressure on the sub soil it would've pushed the water table up. That's what an engineer told me anyway.

I've heard there's similar water table issues in Bramlage - is this true?

[Stillwater Cat]

GIA is pretty sweet.  For those who have not been there.... a person could pretty much jump from the top row seating and land on the court.   OK - I am exaggerating a bit.  But the seating is very damn steep.  BTW Boone Pickens rennovations are coming along quite nicley.  They are gonna have some of the best facilities around wihen this thing is all said and done.  I kinda wish they'd tie the Bob (my new name for bramlage) and the Bill together some day - like they are doing down here.

[sonofdaxjones]

I understand that one the things they're looking at is for the West Stadium Improvements to "flow" or be cohesive with the Bramlage Improvements.

Rusty ... I've heard the same thing about Bramlage, and I know when they put in the new Field Turf in the Stadium they had to put in more extensive drainage systems then they had planned too because water was coming up into the stadium floor.

While I think Slimz design is really cool, keep in mind, if you look at closely and then compare to Memorial Stadium ... to get that, you'd basically have to build a whole new stadium. 

[Dan Rydell]

I kinda wish they'd tie the Bob (my new name for bramlage) and the Bill together some day - like they are doing down here.

Aren't the suites in GIA arranged so that they look down on both the basketball court and the football field?

if you look at closely and then compare to Memorial Stadium ... to get that, you'd basically have to build a whole new stadium.

Very true...the press box, suites, end zone section, and upper decks are all new.  While the idea in the model was basically to add on to the existing limestone grandstands, practically speaking, I think you'd be looking at having to expand those grandstands themselves, obviously redo the seating, etc...and, not being an engineer or an architect, I have no idea whether structurally you could do that to the old grandstands.

[michigancat]

It wouldn't be much different from how NU pieced together their stadium, I'd think.

[Dan Rydell]

I will add that my two favorite parts of the design were the concept of a free-standing end-zone section as well as the tunnel under the scoreboard which would lead underground to locker rooms located in the Ahearn complex.  That tunnel would make for a pretty cool entrance...you could have the tunnel walk video of the team, etc.  Originally, I thought about putting the video board/scoreboard on Ahearn, but I decided that it would mess up Ahearn and probably be too far away, anyway.

[Stillwater Cat]

I kinda wish they'd tie the Bob (my new name for bramlage) and the Bill together some day - like they are doing down here.

Aren't the suites in GIA arranged so that they look down on both the basketball court and the football field?

Yeah - they have a concourse on in the middle with suites on each side.  The suites facing the football field from GIA are for the east endzone only (Kind of like if they would build suites on the north side of bramlage).  I haven't been up there too look at them personally but there are pictures on the world wide web.  Maybe I'll look them up after while.  I think they might have some bars and restaurants up in there as well... not for sure on this.  I'll look for some info.

[Stillwater Cat]

This is about the best i can do for right now... lots of construction pics.  not many on the finished "suites" tho.

http://www.pp.okstate.edu/projects/detail.php?loc=029&ident=01.1999

[ew2x4]

Very true...the press box, suites, end zone section, and upper decks are all new.  While the idea in the model was basically to add on to the existing limestone grandstands, practically speaking, I think you'd be looking at having to expand those grandstands themselves, obviously redo the seating, etc...and, not being an engineer or an architect, I have no idea whether structurally you could do that to the old grandstands.

It would have been cheaper to rebuild the thing. To get the capacity up to a decent number would be a lot of work. You'd have to extend the present stands some and then build on top of them, all the while totally gutting the insides to make way for the upper decks. I think the best part about it would be the view to the Alumni Building.

[Andy]

I've heard there's similar water table issues in Bramlage - is this true?

its built on a sinkhole.  which would seem fitting to this point.  the building apparently sinks a few inches a year and could be an issue in 15 years or so.  thats what i've heard.

[ew2x4]

Eh, It'll hit bedrock eventually.

[Super PurpleCat]

95,000 people pack into Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA.  Tailgating is done on the grass on campus, people park everywhere, and I mean that literally.

It can be done.