“Mineirão” Stadium was the first and only stadium in Brazil to win the seal
Platinum, maximum LEED® certification level.

Governador Magalhães Pinto Stadium, popularly known as “Mineirão”, was inaugurated in 1965. In 2003, it was listed by the Deliberative Council of Cultural Heritage of the Municipality of Belo Horizonte.
With the definition that Brazil would host the 2014 World Cup, in 2009, the stadium underwent several space and infrastructure improvements to meet FIFA requirements.

The CTE Sustainability Unit offered LEED® Building Design and Construction Certification Consulting services, making the Stadium the first and only stadium in Brazil to earn the Platinum seal, maximum level LEED® certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). in Brazil.

The Project

The stadium with about 51,000 m² of built area counted on green building consultancy from CTE, which participated from the very beginning of the stadium renovation and sustainable modeling project, until the delivery of the works, acting directly with the entrepreneurs, designers and construction companies to achieve LEED certification.

Minas Arena was the company responsible for the execution of the renovation and modernization works of Mineirão, through the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement signed with the Minas Gerais State Government. Constituted by the construction companies Construcap, Engesa and HAP Engenharia, Minas Arena has the right to explore the commercialization of the stadium and related structures for 25 years, being obliged to meet operational and management quality goals.

The Certification

Granted by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), the LEED for New Construction certification of Mineirão evaluates and recognizes sustainable solutions and technologies adopted in the construction process to reduce impacts on the environment, throughout the life span of the building. In addition, it ensures consistent management of the enterprise, based on equipment maintenance policies and processes applied to energy, water, waste and service management, such as cleaning and landscaping. The ultimate goal is to maximize operational efficiency and minimize environmental impacts.

Project Outcome

With the certification, Mineirão came to be recognized for its high environmental performance.
Highlights include: 43% reduction in operating cost with energy consumption, 76% reduction in potable water consumption, with the demand for toilets and urinals being supplied with reused water, and 100% saving of potable water for irrigation in landscaping areas.

Sustainable Differentials of Mineirão:

Sustainable land

• The creation of the Work Pollution Prevention Plan to understand and face the environmental risks involved in acting more efficiently. Examples of the controls adopted are: perimeter filtering fences and sedimentation basins, continuous spraying of water to reduce dust on traffic routes, erosion and sedimentation prevention and control, soil and water contamination control, etc.
• Implementation of five wheel washer systems during construction, providing for the reuse of water, enabling reduction of water consumption and savings for the work.
• The existing parking area gave way to the terrace, which can be enjoyed by the population even on days without events.
• Parking spaces were intended for low emission and low consumption vehicles, to encourage and raise awareness of their use.
• More than half of the available parking spaces were allocated underground.
• The rainwater harvesting system is capable of holding a large volume of water, relieving the public drainage system and allowing a considerable water reserve for use at the stadium itself.
• The membrane that covers the stadium was made of light colored material with high solar reflection and the existing concrete roof serves as the base for the installation of photovoltaic panels that generate energy.

Rational use of water

• 100% reduction in potable water use for urinals and toilets.
• Economizer devices were adopted, such as dual-flush discharge valves, low-flow urinals, and the use of non-potable water for toilets and urinals. Reduction in potable water use is 76%.
• The stadium landscaping project was developed with native species and adapted so that there is no need for irrigation of these areas, reducing water consumption.

Energy and atmosphere

• Total annual energy cost reduction of 43.73% compared to the baseline model.
• Installation of VRF system with air condensation at the box offices, police station and medical station, showing reduced energy consumption with air conditioning, due to the significant reduction in ventilator operation. Installation of high performance cold water plants for the other conditioned environments of the stadium, sports museum and shops.
• Use of efficient lighting system, reducing energy consumption with lighting by about 30%.
• Installation of a 1.42MWp photovoltaic plant, as a result of the agreement between CEMIG and Mineirão.

Materials and Resources

• Most of the existing structure (façades, beams, slabs and pillars) has been maintained, avoiding landfill materials and unnecessary use of resources, resulting in increased service life of the existing building.
• All materials from the dismantling of the stage before demolition, such as lamps, railings, chairs and even the grass of the field, were donated for use in other public buildings.
• The quantity (by volume) of waste diverted from landfills during the demolition and construction of the stadium was 79.44%, excluding hazardous waste and soil.
• 12.96% (by mass) of the total cost of materials incorporated into the Stadium has recycled content in its composition.
• Approximately 49% of the cost of materials used came from materials manufactured and extracted within a radius of 800 km.

Quality of indoor environment

• Prohibition of smoking inside the building and within 8 meters of its access, ensuring the air quality in the environment.
• An indoor air quality control plan was developed during construction to reduce sources of air pollutant emissions and promote the comfort and well-being of the Stadium’s workers and users.
• In order to reduce the amount of indoor air contaminants that cause odor, irritation or reduced comfort and well-being of building workers and occupants, all paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants used within the building have complied with the limits imposed upon volatile organic compounds established by standards revered by the certifying body.
• Innovative technologies were used during the work for cleaning activities, reducing particulate matter in these environments.