New Innovations in Sporting Venues: What does this mean for baseball?

[Shadly]

Judging from the Olympics and other sports across the globe, sports venues have taken on a life of their own when it comes to design. For instance the volcano stadium that was discussed previously on this site:

http://www.pixelcreation.fr/fileadmin/img/sas_image/galerie/design/jeanmariemassaud/volcano.jpg

And of course we all know the Bird's nest in Bejing:

http://www.ambbeijing.um.dk/NR/rdonlyres/78C417B7-6D8E-40EA-8970-E669DA73E0FD/0/birds_nest.jpg


Does anyone out there have any insight as to whether Baseball will adopt experimental architecture one day? What new stadiums and design features throughout the world could be applied to ballparks? What new ballparks throughout the world are following this new age of sports architecture?

[Astros]

Regarding baseball in the United States: There's been too many new stadiums built over the last 15 years for this to have an impact within the next couple of decades. American baseball has it's own unique image. I think it would be at least 30-35 years before we begin to see designs similar to those in Asia. More than anything I think some of those type of designs might find their way faster in the NFL than MLB.

The 1960s gave birth to the superstadium such as Dodger Stadium and the Astrodome. The Astrodome was regarded as being futuristic and progressive. I'm sure another cycle will come around and we'll see a new type of groundbreaking architecture for baseball. But I do think at least for the next few decades, baseball in America will grow traditions in the new stadiums we have today. One day PNC Park, Coors Field, Camden Yards and a list of other current ballparks will be referred to as parks built "at or around the turn of the century" and something futuristic will be wanted again. Does this spread around the U.S.? Maybe not widespread, but probably a few cities.

[jalbright]

Nice try--but let's see some more discussion of how this applies to baseball rather than just posting interesting pictures. If you can do that, the thread can stay. If not, it won't last, because then you're just doing an end run on the rule.

[Shadly]

What about facades:

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1285_1_1000%20Taban%20Astana%201.jpg

http://www.archwall.com/Gallery/Civic/New%20Meadowlands%20Stadium/Images/Meadowlands%201.jpg

Does this mean we have reached the limitation on brick?

[SparkyL]

The two questions that I have are:

1) Will these designs stand the test of time.

2) What will be the maintenence cost of the non-functional elements and will they be deemed "worth it"

[Shadly]

This is a thread donated to the evolution of Baseball Stadium architecture. Discussing the developments of other sports venues is useful in predicting baseball stadium development. This thread is useful in evaluating if the features employed in modern structures used by other sports can apply to baseball. How would those of us who are accustomed to a brick facaded, retro park feel about an imposing brushed steel facade, and an avante guard seating arrangement? These are pertinent questions about ballparks, and they should be asked. If a few pictures get posted about other sports venues in the process to illustrate a point about what a baseball park should look like when designed in a modern perspective, then it only strengthens the point. There are still some teams out there that may need a new park in the future: Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Tampa Bay, expansion teams, triple A teams. A conversation about stadium architecture in general is relevant to what this section is about.

[Shadly]

Nice try--but let's see some more discussion of how this applies to baseball rather than just posting interesting pictures. If you can do that, the thread can stay. If not, it won't last, because then you're just doing an end run on the rule.

About 60% of the pictures posted on this link thus far are baseball stadiums, or stadiums used for baseball.

[The Prowling Cat]

1) Will these designs stand the test of time.

Speaking for myself there is only one way they would even stand against the test of time. While the outer would be all flashy and everything. The inside would have to somehow keep with the classic look that I know as a fan I enjoy. While I enjoy cheering and going wild for a great play there is just something calming about the current stadiums. My opinion is you start invading the field with all that flash and metal and the overall feeling at games would change

2) What will be the maintenence cost of the non-functional elements and will they be deemed "worth it"

It would be interesting to know in the future what the cost of upkeep for these will be. I'd also like to know what cities could you see these designs work in. Look at major league cities and the surrounding architecture. Some cities these things would stick out like a sore thumb which wouldn't be a good thing. While I like to be able to find a ballpark easily I don't want to see it and think "what the???"

[Shadly]

1) Will these designs stand the test of time.

Speaking for myself there is only one way they would even stand against the test of time. While the outer would be all flashy and everything. The inside would have to somehow keep with the classic look that I know as a fan I enjoy. While I enjoy cheering and going wild for a great play there is just something calming about the current stadiums. My opinion is you start invading the field with all that flash and metal and the overall feeling at games would change

2) What will be the maintenence cost of the non-functional elements and will they be deemed "worth it"

It would be interesting to know in the future what the cost of upkeep for these will be. I'd also like to know what cities could you see these designs work in. Look at major league cities and the surrounding architecture. Some cities these things would stick out like a sore thumb which wouldn't be a good thing. While I like to be able to find a ballpark easily I don't want to see it and think "what the???"

Toronto has a very "modern" feel to it, and I think these types of designs would work well there. Their economy is booming too, and they might just be but crazy enough to try it. As far as maintenance, I don't think Baseball stadiums require much more maintenance then other sports. The Stainless steel facade of the Kazakhstan stadium is probably easier to maintain than a brick facade. Look at the Chrysler Building. It doesn't require that much.

As far as will they have a lasting effect on their fan bases, The modern cookie cutter donuts of the 60's and 70's had an effect on their cities despite a poor design. Wrigley and Fenway became icons in their cities because of time, not because of design. Anything that has baseball played in it will one day be a landmark.

[Manhattan]

Toronto has a very "modern" feel to it, and I think these types of designs would work well there. Their economy is booming too, and they might just be but crazy enough to try it. As far as maintenance, I don't think Baseball stadiums require much more maintenance then other sports. The Stainless steel facade of the Kazakhstan stadium is probably easier to maintain than a brick facade. Look at the Chrysler Building. It doesn't require that much.

As far as will they have a lasting effect on their fan bases, The modern cookie cutter donuts of the 60's and 70's had an effect on their cities despite a poor design. Wrigley and Fenway became icons in their cities because of time, not because of design. Anything that has baseball played in it will one day be a landmark.
This means for baseball don't need required maintenance.