Why is ETFE the material of choice for U.S. stadia?

Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene

Why is ETFE the material of choice for U.S. stadia?

Why is ETFE the material of choice for U.S. stadia? (Courtesy Los Angeles Football Club)

“Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Thankfully “E-T-F-E” does. The material—commonly referred to by its acronym—is all the rave within the architecture world right now, mostly notably seen in contemporary stadia design.

A Project Engineer at New York firm, Thornton Tomasetti, Alloy Kemp spoke to The Architect’s Newspaper about the material’s key role in stadia projects such across the U.S. These included: the Banc of California Stadium (for the Los Angeles Football Club, MLS) and the U.S. Bank Stadium (for the Minnesota Vikings).

The U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Courtesy Tony Webster / Flickr)


The latter meanwhile uses the material expose the structure as a roof clad with 190,000 square feet of ETFE film reveal long-span cantilevers. Kemp pointed out that the material lets a full spectrum of UV light through, something “which aids in plant growth.” She also cited the material’s “high span to weight ratio” and “its ability to warp” that allow “lighter and sparser structure,” as a main reason for its selection. Additionally, kemp added that a low friction coefficient means with regular rainfall, it is capable of cleaning itself with little maintenance necessary.

(Courtesy HKS Architects)


Alloy Kemp will be speaking at the next Facades+ conference in New York on April 6 There she and Edward Peck of Forum Studio will discuss ETFE’s use in the LA Football Club and Minnesota Vikings stadiums as well as in the DS+R’s Hudson Yards Culture Shed. Seating is limited. To register, go to