VenueConnect 2025

Brad McWhirter
Partner
Trahan Architects


Brad McWhirter is a New Orleans native and Partner at the firm Trahan Architects, with over 23 years’ experience designing and delivering some of the firm’s most acclaimed and complex projects. Brad’s expertise includes a wide range of building typologies and scales of projects, designing and executing numerous sports venues, cultural spaces, event centers, hospitality spaces, and office buildings. He has a particular specialty in working on projects for performance and public assembly, including the rebuilding of the Caesars Superdome following its devastation by Hurricane Katrina. The $200 million dollar renovation was designed and constructed in just 9 months and began a long running relationship between Trahan Architects and the project’s stakeholders. Most recently, Brad was the Project Director for the $570 million capital improvements projects completed in 2024 and in preparation of Super Bowl LIX. The renovations have enabled significant improvements to circulation, accessibility, the fan experience, flexibility of use, and resiliency to extend the icon’s lifespan another 25 years. In addition the his work on the Caesars Superdome, he has led other notable public assembly projects including the Loyola Benson Chapel in New Orleans, LA, the Owensboro-Daviess Convention Center in Owensboro, KY, The Alliance Theater in Atlanta, GA, The Crest Performance Pavilion in Baton Rouge, LA, Luther George Park Performance Pavilion in Springdale, AR, and the Louisiana State Museum and Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, LA. With decades of experience as the firm’s technical specialist, he is an expert at translating big design visions into built form at the highest level.

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