Buildings and Places, Design, ESG, Social Infrastructure, Sustainable Legacies

Intuit Dome, the home of the NBA’s LA Clippers opening in 2024, goes beyond the game to the positive impact pro sports can and should have on team’s communities. The arena design makes no sacrifice in fan and athlete experience, delivering a uniquely intimate and intense experience. Simultaneously, in a first for arenas around the globe, the LA Clippers and the team’s ownership have committed to carbon neutrality and the largest community benefits package ever associated with an arena.

Supporting a better environment through design

AECOM designed the arena with natural ventilation and to be fully electric with enough battery and solar energy to power an entire basketball game or concert. The site was planned to engage the community through an expansive plaza appropriately scaled and offering a gathering place for events as well as pre-game functions. With a commitment to annual monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and transportation impacts, the project aims to drive broader community transformation to a low carbon future. Intuit Dome will also feature a comprehensive waste reduction program and extensive plans to improve regional air quality.

The Clippers organization is one of the most philanthropic sports organizations in the U.S. and is devoted to being a good neighbor both on and off the court — a passion that is ingrained in the team’s culture and championed by its leadership. Its commitment includes adding a founding sustainability partner, Aspiration.

Building a vibrant local economy

The Intuit Dome project serves as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform land that sits directly underneath the LAX flight path and is unsuitable for housing into a vibrant source of community pride and an economic engine. The arena will contribute to the renaissance that is unfolding in the City of Inglewood by creating thousands of full- and part-time construction jobs and more permanent full and part-time jobs when the complex opens. Local hire goals through the AECOM Hunt/Turner Joint Venture are in place to help fill at least 30 percent of the construction jobs and at least 35 percent of arena operation jobs with local area residents.

Intuit Dome is expected to generate an estimated US$260 million in annual economic activity for the City of Inglewood. These funds will help support vital city services such as parks, libraries, and police and fire stations, as well as other community-focused services. These benefits will have a lasting impact on the City of Inglewood, as they represent the largest commitment to community improvements in connection to a sports or entertainment venue in the state of California.

Supporting a stronger community

Intuit Dome comes with a community benefits package worth an unprecedented US$100 million to benefit the local community. The majority of the funds are dedicated to affordable housing, and the commitment also includes funds for youth and family programs that will help provide student scholarships, after-school programs, library upgrades and services for senior citizens.

Through design and construction, Social Infrastructure at AECOM works with clients to support communities and build a better world.

Originally published Aug 2, 2022

Author: Bill Hanway