This presentation will discuss the history of design at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has a capacity of 257,325 spectators and is the largest facility in the world to host sport related events. Also, design considerations regarding updating the facility in regards to safety, ADA, security, and fan experience will be discussed.

 Attendees will learn about the ADA design challenges of updating a 106 year old racing/spectator facility.

 Attendees will learn about design opportunities that would enhance the fan experience at the world’s largest sporting event facility and how those designs interplay with the surrounding urban environment.

Attendees will learn about fan/participant safety and security design aspects and ways to improve the fan experience when updating the world’s largest sporting event facility.

 Attendees will learn about budget considerations and how that impacts designing and reimagining the world’s largest sporting event facility. 

About the Presenter:

Jonathan R. Hess, AIA, President of Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects (BDMD)

Jonathan has had the privilege to have worked on projects that over the years have become recognizable landmarks in the city of Indianapolis. They represent his desire to translate clients vision into unique and responsive solutions. 

He leads the efforts at Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf in their academic and cultural markets, and is recognized for his work at the Eiteljorg Museum, Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington, the International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indianapolis Museum of Art,...and work at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

A graduate of the University of Illinois where he earned a Master of Architecture in 1982 and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies in 1979, Jonathan joined Browning Day in 1984 and became a principal in 1988. Jonathan is currently the President of BDMD. 

Current work includes improvements to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 100th running of the event, MacAllister Corporation's new Indianapolis headquarters and new facilities for Indiana's Universities, Marching Hundred. 

He is supported in all of these activities and efforts by his wife and partner in life, Jody, and their three children, Catherine, Claudia and Christian.