Architects: Perkins & Will Location: 2,776 m two Year: 2021 Photography: Andrew Latreille Lead Designers: Max Richter
Style Group: Abu Benjaman, Paul Cowcher, Nic Dubois-Robitaille, Jana Foit, Bojana Jerinic, Horace Lai, Sarita Mann, Elsa Snyder, Kim Stanley, Laurence Renard
Structural Engineering: Quick + Epp
Mechanical Engineering: Introba
Electrical Engineering: WSP Norge, WSP
Civil Engineering: KWL
Specialist: Chandos Construction
City: Burnaby
Country: Canada
The SFU Stadium completes a long-envisioned component of Simon Fraser University’s campus, transforming a sloped site adjacent to Terry Fox Field into a modern athletics and public event place. Developed to support both formal sporting events and daily campus life, the arena accommodates 1,823 covered seats together with more than 300 informal seating choices distributed across balconies and landscaped locations. A specifying cantilevered canopy shelters over half of the seating while combining press, service, and support spaces within the structure below. The job reacts to intricate structural needs, consisting of significant snow loads, tight site constraints, and the combination of cross-laminated lumber soffit panels. Conceived as a year-round location instead of a single-purpose facility, the stadium extends its value beyond game days, strengthening the university’s commitment to shared outdoor space and neighborhood engagement.
The stadium addresses a historical space in the university’s original master strategy, where proposed concrete bleachers were removed due to budget constraints. In reviewing this latent vision, the project reframes the role of athletics facilities as a driver for social life rather than a facility triggered just by set up occasions. The design intent highlights versatility and openness, ensuring that the stadium contributes meaningfully to day-to-day campus experience.
SFU Arena/ Perkins & Will 24 SFU Stadium/ Perkins & Will 25 SFU Arena/ Perkins & Will 26 Set along the natural descent from the sports complex toward Terry Fox Field, the website’s topography notifies both type and blood circulation. Terraced seating and landscaped slopes create a steady transition between developed and open area, allowing viewers and passersby to engage with the arena informally. This integration of architecture and landscape enables numerous modes of occupation, from structured viewing to casual event and study. SFU Stadium/ Perkins & Will 27 
SFU Stadium/ Perkins & Will 28 At the heart of the project is the extensive cantilevered canopy, which defines the stadium’s architectural identity. Extending deep over the seating bowl, the roof offers shelter while maintaining visual lightness. Its scale and reach respond directly to the exposure of the site, using convenience without enclosing the area or interrupting sightlines to the field. © Andrew Latreille © Andrew Latreille