Q & A
Why do people react so emotionally over ballparks more so than any other type of facility?
People have memories of going to games or playing the game when they were kids with their teams or parents. I think that's why some of the projects we've done have been so popular. We are able to make that emotional connection. I've often said a good indicator of success on one of our projects is if the fans fall in love with the park, because you know then the team will never want to leave the park. It goes back to the stories about events in those parks. So you have to be serious about that emotion. You have to be sure you're not doing something that seems cool today, but that the next generation doesn’t understand or appreciate.
What are the keys to a great ballpark?
I think it's sort of a one-line thing – you want the fans and the club to fall in love with the ballpark. I don’t think there is a formula. It's about the community. The people in that community have to own it. If they feel it's just another one of like all the others, it's "who cares." The lease will be up in 10 years and the ball club will move to somewhere else.
What's the best thing about designing ballparks?
The people, the clients and the projects. Our projects are often front-page news, it is gratifying to see the public get excited about architecture; other offices are doing good work, but they are in the background. I like seeing people enjoy the projects. When reporters ask what I'd like people to say when leaving a ballpark and I always tell them, "I want them to say they had a great time."