Tackling Open Concept at Lambeau Field

Lambeau Field, home of the legendary Green Bay Packers, made the decision to upgrade their fan experience by expanding their food service operation and creating an open kitchen space. We became a part of game day for decades to come by putting in place a best in class kitchen solution. The following is an in-depth look at the Accurex way and how we brought that process to the project and our partners at Lambeau Field.

UNDERSTANDING CHALLENGES

Designing a completely new space in a stadium comes with many considerations. First, the new open kitchen design was replacing an existing space so there were footprint limitations for both the front and back of house kitchens. Lambeau Field’s doors, elevators and hallways were critical to consider when thinking about the various machinery and products needed to get into the building.

Secondly, the team had to determine what new pieces were needed, how they would seamlessly integrate and complement the existing equipment and, most of all, how it would all work in a way that would maximize kitchen ventilation performance. “We wanted this open space, but we also knew the challenges that came along with that in terms of potential air loss. We had to find the correct balance for performance and making sure that our customers were kept comfortable and happy. Every-one wants to enjoy the experience, but you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the smell of the experience.” -Justin Dantzman, HVAC manager for the Green Bay Packers.

“Some of the challenges associated with trying to bring the kitchen out front in lieu of a belly-up concession stand was that when we bring that food product and equipment out, we also bring the grease and some of the other preparation challenges out.” - Brett Kroening, The Boelter Companies

The projected use of the kitchen was another challenge that took significant consideration. Because the space would only function at high volume on game days and during events, we needed to take into account that it would not operate at peak demand on most days throughout the year. “We need variable volume, not all the bells and whistles. We need a system that does what we need it to do but we don’t want to be burdened with product we don’t really need.” In other words, Justin was asking for us to design a solution that solved the exact needs of Lambeau Field. Happily, we accepted the challenge and got to work.

GETTING TO WORK

After gaining a comprehensive understanding of the project, we rolled up our sleeves and worked alongside Project Manager and Designer, Brett Kroening, as industry-leading commercial kitchen ventilation system partners from The Boelter Companies, Aaron Baumgartner and Matthew Schachtner of Somerville Architects & Engineers, Rick Seeley of Miron Construction Co., Inc. and Green Bay Packers, HVAC Manager, Justin Dantzman.

Size restrictions, noise levels, the open kitchen concept and ensuring a safe environment for fans were definitely challenges. “Accurex was the perfect choice, and partner, for this project. They had a wide variety of design options and customizable choices associated with demand control packages. They offered a simplified, cost-effective system that was code compliant and their wall mounted controls interface provided the simplistic, intuitive design the facility needed.” - Brett Kroening, The Boelter Companies

Throughout the process, we were committed to doing business with integrity. We were available every step of the way, providing responsive communication, detailed drawings, and timely delivery to get the job done. “The quality of the Accurex products was impeccable. They did a beautiful job delivering quality work, everything was seamless.”- Rick Seeley, Miron Construction Co., Inc.

We thrive on being the trustworthy liaison between engineers, consultants, mechanical contractors, and other partners. Our team keeps your project in line and only provides the product solutions you NEED, nothing more or less.

Marketplace Kitchen - Hood and Controls

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

COMPLETE SYSTEM SOLUTION

The existing equipment and ductwork in the kitchen at Lambeau Field required selecting ventilation products that would be compatible. Accurex’s wide breadth of products included compatible solutions, and we were able to create a complete system solution that combined existing equipment with new Accurex equipment. This unique solution resulted in unrivaled energy savings for Lambeau Field.

Demand Controlled Kitchen Ventilation (DCKV)

Foodservice operations at Lambeau Field vary from high activity on game day, medium activity during events, and no activity during bye weeks or the off-season. In order to adjust the fan speed to suit these varied cooking loads, the kitchen was outfitted with demand controlled kitchen ventilation (DCKV). Foodservice operations at Lambeau Field vary from high activity on game day, medium activity during events, and no activity during bye weeks or the off-season. In order to adjust the fan speed to suit these varied cooking loads, the kitchen was outfitted with demand controlled kitchen ventilation (DCKV).

Hoods

Popular stadium foods like hamburgers, fries, hot dogs and cheese curds tend to produce more grease-laden air, and therefore require exhaust hood filters with a high level of grease extraction. Lambeau wouldn’t be the home of the Cheesehead without cheesy menu items. Accurex Grease-X-Tractor™ filter was the ideal solution for this stadium’s cooking style.

To efficiently filter out grease with minimal costs for Lambeau Field, the Grease-X-Tractor™ filter forces the grease-laden air through multiple angled inlets that spin the incoming air rapidly within the filter. The centrifugal force throws the grease out of the airstream and back onto the interior surface of the filter, while the filtered air exits out the rear.

Because the front-of-house kitchen included in this project was an open concept, choosing aesthetically pleasing yet functional prevent effluent from reaching the customers was crucial. Accurex hoods with a continuous capture feature were chosen not only to improve the look, but also to improve performance. The UL Listed bolted connection allows end to end hoods to be connected, removing the side walls between the hoods. Side by side hoods without the continuous capture feature create a new place for grease to build up, creating another area to clean and over time may lead to a fire hazard. Additionally, Accurex’s Performance Enhancing Lip (PEL) technology, standard on all exhaust hoods, features a lipped edge around the bottom of the hood, improving the overall effectiveness of the hood by keeping heat and effluent from escaping the canopy.

Make-up Air-With Heat

Accurex Make-Up Air Unit and Exhaust Fan Rooftop View

As cooling isn’t needed in the crisp fall and frozen winter of Wisconsin’s football season, the Lambeau project was provided with a heat-only make-up air, adhering to the Accurex way: providing only what is needed.

To offer the energy savings Lambeau Field wanted to see from its demand-controlled kitchen ventilation system, Accurex make-up air units rely on our patented barometric bypass damper. This technology allows up to 50% airflow reduction when paired with DCKV. The barometric bypass damper creates advantages by ensuring proper airflow velocity over the burner plate during variable volume applications. For Lambeau Field, make-up air units capable of airflow turndown save energy and money in the long run.

Exhaust Fan

To further control operational costs, Accurex upblast exhaust fans were selected for their durability and their design that discharges air directly away from the mounting surface. The leak-proof exhaust fan construction has a one-piece windband that is welded to the curb cap to capture grease and protect the roof to help reduce maintenance costs. This preserves the lifespan of the stadium roof materials by preventing a potentially costly mess from damaging roof membranes. Accurex exhaust fans also draw cool out-side air directly into the motor compartment, increasing maximum motor life and sealing the motor compartment from the exhaust air.To further control operational costs, Accurex upblast exhaust fans were selected for their durability and their design that discharges air directly away from the mounting surface. The leak-proof exhaust fan construction has a one-piece windband that is welded to the curb cap to capture grease and protect the roof to help reduce maintenance costs. This preserves the lifespan of the stadium roof materials by preventing a potentially costly mess from damaging roof membranes. Accurex exhaust fans also draw cool out-side air directly into the motor compartment, increasing maximum motor life and sealing the motor compartment from the exhaust air.

PHOTO ALBUM

Lambeau Field Marketplace Kitchen Exhaust Hood

Lambeau Field Marketplace Kitchen Back of House

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Accurex demonstrated the ability to configure a solution, bring local expertise to the table, an ability to work with existing equipment, deep partnerships critical to communication and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Accurex provided a technical solution for the Marketplace and offered a simplified, cost-effective system for quick serve locations along with energy savings solutions which was critical due to the usage factor.

Control interfaces provided simplistic, intuitive design facility needed and were easy to operate.

Robust, energy-efficient, back-of-house systems combined with a comfortable and convenient front-of-house environment resulted in the ultimate fan dining experience.