Hawkins Construction Completes Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand

Hawkins Construction has completed an enclosed natural turf stadium called Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The roof of the stadium is made from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a product originally developed for the space industry. The material allows for 90% of sunlight to still reach the pitch, along with UV light and fresh air.

Hawkins was the main contractor for the $190m stadium which is the world’s largest naturally grassed and permanently covered stadium, and the third-biggest ETFE roofed building in the world.

Architecture firm Populous designed the stadium in association with local firm Jasmax to replace the famous Carisbrook stadium.

The stadium offers 20,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats.