The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) is set to open the revitalized Louis Armstrong Stadium in time for the 2018 U.S. Open, which will take place August 27th–September 9th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing Meadow section of Queens, New York. The unveiling marks the completion of the nearly decade-long $600 million project, which saw nearly all of the original stadium design overhauled.
Rossetti spearheaded the design of the new facility to accommodate more than 14,000 spectators within the first naturally ventilated tennis stadium in the world. Boasting a retractable 94,500-square-foot roof, the arena is clad with 14,250 overlapping terracotta louvers on all sides to allow for ventilation as well as protection against rain. The louvers allow air to flow through the upper levels, while a perforated seating bowl enables air to pass through underground air pathways into the lowest tier of seating. More than 7,000 seats are cantilevered into the upper bowl and 6,400 lower-bowl seats.
Michael Graves Architecture & Design collaborated with Landscape Forms on new courtside furniture. The new seating aims to address visibility, usability, and functionality, drawing inspiration from the local landscapes. The furniture will be installed at all USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center courts next year.
