Industry News

Oakland A’s hire four design firms for new ballpark

Major League Baseball franchise the Oakland Athletics has hired four firms to lead the design process for its new ballpark at the Peralta site.

Sasaki, Snøhetta, and Oakland-based Studio T-Square will lead master planning and urban design efforts, and will assist the A’s in a robust community engagement process.

Meanwhile, HOK and Snøhetta will collaborate on the design of the new ballpark and its interface with the master plan.

“Our goal is to create the best ballpark experience for our fans, players, and community. It is critical for our ballpark to truly integrate into the fabric of Oakland,” said Oakland A’s president Dave Kaval.

“All of the firms are industry leaders and have reputations for leading award-winning transformative and cutting-edge projects. We look forward to working with them to develop a project that works for our entire community.”

James Miner, AICP, Sasaki principal in charge on the project, said: “The ballpark itself is just one part of the puzzle – we’re also eager to find ways for this investment to catalyse other opportunities that support the goals of the existing community, in a way that is totally unique and authentic to Oakland.

“A key component to making this project a success will be an active and meaningful engagement with A’s fans as well as with the broad and incredibly diverse community of Oakland. We want the ballpark to be a great place not only for baseball, but also for the community and the environment.”

Craig Dykers, Snøhetta partner-in-charge, said: “With its new home closer to downtown Oakland, the project will re-invigorate the relationship between the A’s and the city as a new kind of ballpark that acts as a centre for sport, wellness and culture.

“We look forward to working with the team and the residents of Oakland to create a vision that will not only continue the rich legacy of the A’s, but also strengthen communities, foster healthy habitat, and build a vibrant new cultural heart for the city.”

Chris Giles, COO of Oakland A’s will speak in Barcelona on 28-29 November at TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Summit 2017.