For the Fans
Creating a High-Tech Environment at the Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
by Cory Kahoun, Senior Design Engineer, Sightline Commercial Solutions
After decades of sharing space with the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s LA Clippers now have a home of their own at the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Designed by AECOM, a infrastructure firm out of Los Angeles, California, and defined by its nearly acre-sized Halo Board from Daktronics®, the largest double-sided video display in any arena setting, the iconic new arena and event venue delivers one of the most intensive and high-tech live experiences in sports and raises the bar for every major sports franchise in the world with regard to sustainability through design and engagement of community and fans.
Sightline Commercial Solutions played a pivotal role in ensuring that this $2 billion, state-of-the-art arena would be a symbol and celebration of the Clippers’ newfound independence. The Minneapolis-based fabricator of architectural railings and portable platform solutions was selected for this project not only based on its extensive resume of previous stadium work and reputation for quality work, on-time delivery, and creative problem solving, but also for its approach as a partner in the early phases of development. Sightline’s turnkey capabilities, with offerings that span from design and fabrication to installation, differentiate it in the industry as a one-stop supplier. The company’s experience with fully custom railing systems was also essential to this project, as the team was able to offer solutions that met the high-tech architectural vision for the Intuit Dome while adhering to strict local building and railing codes.
Utilizing innovative 3D laser scanning capabilities to accurately model the complex geometries of the arena, as well as tube laser cutting capabilities to expedite production times, Sightline contributed a total of 17,000+ linear feet, more than 3.2 miles, of custom engineered railing to the project. The integration of glass Track Rail™, painted steel railing with stainless mesh infill, and Point™ supported glass railing and custom-patterned etched glass ensured a sleek and modern aesthetic throughout the arena and its concourses while providing optimal sightlines for the Dome’s 18,000 spectators.
The client’s high-tech vision called for a variety of unique railing styles and materials which, in turn, called for expert knowledge of railing codes, attention to detail, and tight collaboration between trades and subcontractors. The Sightline team worked closely with the concrete supplier during the design stage to ensure the railings would be fully integrated from the outset, helping to simplify installation and minimize on-site adjustments.
Similarly, the stairs planned for the VIP section presented installation challenges due to an elevation mismatch between the floor, which was already finished, and the required steel stringers. Through close collaboration with the architect and some last-minute adjustments to the project blueprints, Sightline was able to address this issue before fabrication of the stringers commenced, mitigating a potential major setback. Additionally, thanks to the company’s ability to build off shops, they were able to design and fabricate the rails and get material to the site as soon as the stringers were installed, shaving months off the typical production timeline.
Another tricky challenge to navigate involved installing railing in conjunction with a terrazzo floor. In most cases, terrazzo flooring is purposefully the last thing to be installed in order to avoid other construction activities damaging the delicate flooring. This pushed the railing installation to very late in the project timeline. With trained and trusted support from Harriott Contracting, a Sightline installation partner for more than 20 years, the team worked overtime to ensure the railing systems were completed on time and without impact to the terrazzo material.
In addition to the areas noted above, Sightline contributed powder-coated aluminum handrails, stainless-steel LED handrails, and diagonal picket handrails throughout high-traffic areas of the Dome to enhance safety and ease-of-access across the venue’s busy schedule of events. The integration of LED handrails required particular sensitivity and intense coordination to ensure the LEDs would be properly and safely powered. To ensure success, the Sightline team maintained open lines of communication with the project’s electricians, concrete providers, and stone providers by coordinating regular meetings and providing detailed layouts that showed how the LEDs would be seamlessly incorporated into the finished design.
Intuit Dome highlights Sightline Commercial Solutions’ ability to streamline complex, large-scale projects through innovation and collaboration. It also showcases the company’s holistic expertise and commitment to creatively solving problems, even outside their core scope of work, to shape cutting-edge venues that redefine the fan experience.
