Modern Designers Play Ball

"I think architecture is a ride, a physical ride, and I mean that literally: a ride like in an amusement park, a fascinating journey toward the unexpected." -Antoine Predock

The current baseball championships and the fondness that many people feel for the unique architectural character of Fenway Park in Boston made me think about the design of sports stadiums in general. While they are prominent fixtures in the urban landscape, and important cultural institutions, they rarely have an architect of record associated with them, unlike museums and many other public buildings. And we do not normally think about them in terms of design. Petco Park in San Diego is a notable exception, and deserving of recognition, even if the Padres did not make it to the playoffs.

Just two years old, Petco Park relied upon the talents of noted architect Antoine Predock and the established design firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK). The willingness of these two forces to combine efforts is heroic and unprecedented. The result is a facility that is having a positive effect on the surrounding urban fabric. I visited Petco Park and was given a tour of the facility. It is hard to imagine a design project with greater constraints, ranging from urban traffic flow to the landscape to earthquake safety to spectator movement to restaurant design and right down to the cup holders. There are many unique features to this ballpark: the aggressively cantilevered seating decks that provide a special drama, the incorporation of existing historic architectural buildings, the generously scaled public corridors and ramps. Predock's influence is felt most strongly in the exterior structure and public spaces, where large solid masses of natural desert stone, plants and light are juxtaposed with the steel structure's exposed industrial bolts. But even the signage and the innovative use of materials on the bleachers show excellence in modern design and attention in the smaller details.

With the incorporation of palm trees, trailing vines and a grassy park, Petco Park reflects a character more similar to Wrigley Field's ivy-covered walls than to the prevailing domed and Astroturf venues. It feels like a family place, and the bleachers, parks and sandlot are affordable and super for kids. The ballpark is oriented toward the city rather than the water, so fans can view the San Diego skyline as they watch the game—it creates a special connection with the city. Relating form to site and incorporating elements of the Southwest has been a signature of Predock's work since his earliest commissions in New Mexico. Click here for more images of Petco Park.

Predock's projects are numerous and singular and include museums, universities, city halls, a science center, courthouses, "riverquariums" and much more. His influences begin with Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Kahn and go on to include the major movements of modern architecture through the past 50 years. Attempting to inventory his work here would result in a superficial summary at best, but his web site is worth the click.

Predock's work, like that of most individualistic and visionary architects, is controversial by traditional standards—all the more reason to compliment the developers of Petco Park for taking risks. In this age when many business parks, malls and retailers aim to take people out of the city, we salute HOK and Predock for bringing them back.

Best,

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Comments

[designdna]

what an interesting thought. when i consider the volume of space the stadium commands vs. the downtown skyline area of my small city of 1 million, it is even more curious. the stadium is only a few years old and built on the side of the river folks are trying to revitalize. an enormous missed opportunity isn't it? and to think how often that scenario is repeated... i have got to practice opening my eyes.

i am so happy to find your site via design for mankind. i have truly enjoyed my visit and i will continue to stop by for a little thought provoking. very timely for my year of no consuming, only creating!

now i've got to go investigate the arizona cardinals.

[Brian]

Interesting point about the apparent lack of Starchitects in stadium design. Another notable exception is the Arizona Cardinals who recently opened their new facility in Glendale, AZ, University of Phoenix Stadium. The conceptual design was authored by Peter Eisenman, who I was surprised to learn is quite the football
aficionado. Given the scale and cultural importance of these structures it's too bad that more of them are not designed by architects with vision. I await the San Francisco 49ers press conference announcing the hiring of Phillipe Starck any day now.