Renton World Cup Legacy Square
Mithun
DMD Weathering Steel
Renton, WA
2026
Dissimilar Metal Design provided the custom weathering steel metalwork for the new Legacy Square Stage in downtown Renton, Washington. Designed by Mithun and constructed by Andersen Construction, the performance pavilion serves as the centerpiece of a new public gathering space created for concerts, cultural performances, movie screenings, festivals, and community events. The square opened in June 2026, just ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when it became a regional destination for public watch parties.
The stage is formed as a three-dimensional wedge, designed to improve sightlines toward the large-format screen while supporting the natural projection of sound. Its mass-timber structure is wrapped across both the walls and roof in custom metal panels with subtly shifting widths, creating a continuous protective shell around the sculptural form.
DMD supplied the exterior panels with its proprietary weathering steel finish, giving the pavilion a durable, naturally varied surface that complements the warmth of the exposed timber interior. The weathering steel also connects the contemporary civic structure to Renton’s industrial heritage while providing the resilience required for a heavily used, year-round public venue.
Together, the mass timber and weathering steel establish a strong material identity for Legacy Square: warm and welcoming from within, durable and expressive from the exterior. Built initially as a gathering place for the excitement of the World Cup, the stage is designed to remain a lasting home for arts, recreation, and civic life in downtown Renton.
Photographs by Ross Eckart and Moris Moreno
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