Dan Meis
Encyclopedia
Dan Meis is an American architect best known for designing Sports, Entertainment, and Exhibition centers. Earlier in his career, Meis worked for NBBJ
, before founding his own company, MEIS Architects. MEIS Architects later merged with design company Aedas
. On September 22, 2010, it was announced that Meis has joined Populous as a senior principal of the firm. He will operate out of a new LA-area office for the firm.
Dan Meis has more than 25 years of experience. Dan began a very diverse career in large-scale civic and commercial architecture soon after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1985. As a young designer in the office of Murphy/Jahn Architects, he worked on award-winning office towers in Chicago; New York; Frankfurt, Germany; and Durban, South Africa.
In 1992, Dan became a Design Principal at the LA office of Ellerbe Becket, where he designed Europe's largest indoor arena - Nynex Arena in Manchester, England. In 1995, he won the international design competition for the $750 million Saitama Super Arena
in Japan. This mixed-use structure is capable of mechanically transforming a 10,000-seat arena to a 35,000-seat stadium, which hosts NFL exhibition games and Japan League Soccer. Later, as the Co-Founding Design Partner for NBBJ Sports and Entertainment, Dan designed sports, entertainment, and convention facilities that were well-acclaimed including Staples Center
in Los Angeles, the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Safeco Field
in Seattle, Lincoln Financial Field
in Philadelphia, and Paul Brown Stadium
in Cincinnati. Paul Brown Stadium was the first NFL facility to win an AIA design award. Dan's design for Los Angeles' Staples Center has been heralded as the "greatest arena ever built," and in 2001 he was featured in Time Magazine as one of their "100 Innovators in the World of Sports." His work has twice been awarded the prestigious Business Week/Architectural Record Award, recognizing the value of design to a client's business, and he is the only architect twice recognized as one of Sports Business Journal's "40 under 40 Most Influential Sports Executives". Dan's work has been featured in numerous publications, and he is a frequent lecturer at architectural schools nationwide.
Dan founded MEIS Architects in 2006 as a specialty architecture and design practice focused on the design of sports, entertainment and civic buildings. He has built a unique practice combining the innovation and creativity of a boutique design studio with the practicality and delivery typically found exclusively in a large, corporate architectural office.
Dan focuses on creating venues that, while considered iconic, are distinguished instead by the significant contribution to the client's bottom line. Furthermore, Dan specializes in renovation, retrofitting, and master-planning of existing venues in need of significant upgrades and revenue generation. Current projects designed by Dan include the new Los Angeles NFL Stadium
, Dalian Soccer Stadium, and various undertakings for the United States Tennis Association
.
and engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and later received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Illinois.
, and 2001, he was recognized as one of the Top 100 innovators in his field by Time Magazine
In 2007, two of Meis' designs, Safeco Field
and the Paul Brown Stadium
, were included in the American Institute of Architects' list of "America's Favorite Architecture." Meis also has the distinction of twice being named one of Sports Business Journal's "40 Under 4"” Most Influential People in the world of sports.
Meis is a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects
. His work has been showcased in dozens of publications, including Architectural Record, Metropolis, I.D., L.A. Architect, Stadium & Arena Management and SPACE Magazine.
Staples Center
USTA National Tennis Center
Miller Park
Paul Brown Stadium
Safeco Field
Saitama Super Arena
Lincoln Financial Field
Dalian Soccer Stadium
@Bahrain Master Plan and Auto Club
Mazda Stadium
Dodger Stadium Renovation
Thunderbay Motor Speedway
Columbus Crew Stadium
LA Coliseum Renovation
Qualcomm Stadium Renovation
Beijing Olympic Master Plan
Qwest Convention Center and Arena
Asia World Exhibition Center
The Dodge Theater
RFK Stadium Renovation
The Meadowlands Renovation
LG Twins Seoul Dome
Guangdong Olympic Stadium
Cintas Center at Xavier University
Al McGuire Center at Marquette University
Dalian Sports Center
NBBJ
NBBJ is a global architecture, planning and design firm with offices in Beijing, Boston, Columbus, Dubai, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Shanghai....
, before founding his own company, MEIS Architects. MEIS Architects later merged with design company Aedas
Aedas
Aedas is an international architectural firm operating in 31 offices in 20 countries. The practice provides Architecture, Interior Design, Building Consultancy, Research & Development, Imaging, Urban Design and Landscape Design services...
. On September 22, 2010, it was announced that Meis has joined Populous as a senior principal of the firm. He will operate out of a new LA-area office for the firm.
Dan Meis has more than 25 years of experience. Dan began a very diverse career in large-scale civic and commercial architecture soon after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1985. As a young designer in the office of Murphy/Jahn Architects, he worked on award-winning office towers in Chicago; New York; Frankfurt, Germany; and Durban, South Africa.
In 1992, Dan became a Design Principal at the LA office of Ellerbe Becket, where he designed Europe's largest indoor arena - Nynex Arena in Manchester, England. In 1995, he won the international design competition for the $750 million Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena
is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan. Its spectator capacity is 37,000 at maximum settings.This main arena capacity is between 19,000-22,500 when events such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, mixed martial arts and...
in Japan. This mixed-use structure is capable of mechanically transforming a 10,000-seat arena to a 35,000-seat stadium, which hosts NFL exhibition games and Japan League Soccer. Later, as the Co-Founding Design Partner for NBBJ Sports and Entertainment, Dan designed sports, entertainment, and convention facilities that were well-acclaimed including Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles, the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Safeco Field is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium, owned and operated by the Washington-King County Stadium Authority, is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and has a seating capacity of 47,878 for baseball...
in Seattle, Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
in Philadelphia, and Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...
in Cincinnati. Paul Brown Stadium was the first NFL facility to win an AIA design award. Dan's design for Los Angeles' Staples Center has been heralded as the "greatest arena ever built," and in 2001 he was featured in Time Magazine as one of their "100 Innovators in the World of Sports." His work has twice been awarded the prestigious Business Week/Architectural Record Award, recognizing the value of design to a client's business, and he is the only architect twice recognized as one of Sports Business Journal's "40 under 40 Most Influential Sports Executives". Dan's work has been featured in numerous publications, and he is a frequent lecturer at architectural schools nationwide.
Dan founded MEIS Architects in 2006 as a specialty architecture and design practice focused on the design of sports, entertainment and civic buildings. He has built a unique practice combining the innovation and creativity of a boutique design studio with the practicality and delivery typically found exclusively in a large, corporate architectural office.
Dan focuses on creating venues that, while considered iconic, are distinguished instead by the significant contribution to the client's bottom line. Furthermore, Dan specializes in renovation, retrofitting, and master-planning of existing venues in need of significant upgrades and revenue generation. Current projects designed by Dan include the new Los Angeles NFL Stadium
Los Angeles Stadium
Los Angeles Football Stadium is the working title for a proposed 75,000-seat football stadium, the centerpiece of a 600-acre entertainment district in Industry, California. Upon construction, the district will be named Grand Crossing, California. Edward P...
, Dalian Soccer Stadium, and various undertakings for the United States Tennis Association
United States Tennis Association
The United States Tennis Association is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States. A not-for-profit organization with more than 700,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass-roots to the professional levels...
.
Education
Meis studied environmental designEnvironmental design
Environmental design is the process of addressing surrounding environmental parameters when devising plans, programs, policies, buildings, or products...
and engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and later received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Illinois.
Professional recognition
Meis was named a Fellow of the American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, and 2001, he was recognized as one of the Top 100 innovators in his field by Time Magazine
In 2007, two of Meis' designs, Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Safeco Field is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium, owned and operated by the Washington-King County Stadium Authority, is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and has a seating capacity of 47,878 for baseball...
and the Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...
, were included in the American Institute of Architects' list of "America's Favorite Architecture." Meis also has the distinction of twice being named one of Sports Business Journal's "40 Under 4"” Most Influential People in the world of sports.
Meis is a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
. His work has been showcased in dozens of publications, including Architectural Record, Metropolis, I.D., L.A. Architect, Stadium & Arena Management and SPACE Magazine.
Sample Projects Designed by Dan Meis, FAIA
Los Angeles NFL StadiumLos Angeles Stadium
Los Angeles Football Stadium is the working title for a proposed 75,000-seat football stadium, the centerpiece of a 600-acre entertainment district in Industry, California. Upon construction, the district will be named Grand Crossing, California. Edward P...
Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
USTA National Tennis Center
USTA National Tennis Center
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens and has been the home of the US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament played every year in August and September. Operated by the United States Tennis Association since...
Miller Park
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...
Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Safeco Field is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium, owned and operated by the Washington-King County Stadium Authority, is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and has a seating capacity of 47,878 for baseball...
Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena
is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan. Its spectator capacity is 37,000 at maximum settings.This main arena capacity is between 19,000-22,500 when events such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, mixed martial arts and...
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
Dalian Soccer Stadium
@Bahrain Master Plan and Auto Club
Mazda Stadium
Dodger Stadium Renovation
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
Thunderbay Motor Speedway
Columbus Crew Stadium
Columbus Crew Stadium
Columbus Crew Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in Columbus, Ohio and the home stadium of Major League Soccer club, Columbus Crew. Built in 1999, Crew Stadium was the first soccer-specific stadium built for a professional soccer team in the second pro era of American soccer...
LA Coliseum Renovation
Qualcomm Stadium Renovation
Beijing Olympic Master Plan
Qwest Convention Center and Arena
Qwest Center Omaha
CenturyLink Center is an arena and convention center facility in the North Downtown neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. The 1.1 million ft² facility has an 18,300-seat arena, a 194,000-ft² exhibition hall and 62,000 ft² of meeting space....
Asia World Exhibition Center
The Dodge Theater
Dodge Theater
Comerica Theatre is an indoor concert hall and arena in Phoenix. The venue seats 5,500 people and hosts many musical artists and shows...
RFK Stadium Renovation
The Meadowlands Renovation
LG Twins Seoul Dome
Guangdong Olympic Stadium
Cintas Center at Xavier University
Cintas Center
Cintas Center is a 10,250 seat multi-purpose arena and conference center at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The arena officially opened in 2000 and was constructed through private donations as part of Xavier University's Century Campaign...
Al McGuire Center at Marquette University
Al McGuire Center
The Al McGuire Center is an 4,000 seat arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin which houses the women's volleyball and basketball teams at Marquette University. It also serves as a practice facility for the men's basketball team. It was opened in 2004, replacing the venerable Marquette Gymnasium...
Dalian Sports Center
External links
- Aedas official web site
- MEIS Architects and Dan Meis, FAIA official web site
- Davis Brody Bond Aedas official web site