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ARCHITECTURE • ENGINEERING • COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGYAVIATION | CIVIL | CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | DATA SYSTEMS | ENVIRONMENTAL
FACILITIES ENGINEERING | GEOSPATIAL | NETWORKS | PUBLIC SAFETY | TRANSPORTATION
THE SITUATIONPenn State University’s Nittany Lions Baseball Club and the short-season A-level State College (Pa.) Spikes of the New York-Penn baseball league, worked collaboratively to build a baseball park that the University and minor-league professional teams could share. They wanted a single facility that would reflect sustainable design, construction and operations while generating increased revenue for the teams. They also wanted a first-class ballpark that would capitalize on the location’s orientation to the breathtaking vistas of Mount Nittany. The University envisioned the ballpark as being a key component of the campus “athletic village” concept that incorporated the adjacent Beaver Stadium, Bryce Jordan Center, Jeffrey Field Soccer Stadium, Lady Lion’s Softball Park and the Multi-Sport Indoor Facility. The Spikes preferred a location that gave the ballpark a sense of neutrality and was peripheral to the campus. Ultimately, the location along Porter Road at the eastern edge of campus was chosen as it effectively met the requests and goals of both teams.
THE CHALLENGESThe schedule was extremely tight for development of the ballpark. Design and construction needed to occur within a 17 month timeframe in order to have the facility completed for opening day of the Spikes baseball season in June 2006. Within this timeframe, a number of challenges had to be resolved.
Project Overview CLIENTThe Pennsylvania State University
PROJECT INFO• State College, PA• 5,500 Seats/152,194 SF• Final Construction Cost:
$25.7 Million• Completion Date:
June, 2006
L.R. KIMBALL SERVICES• Architecture• Electrical engineering• Structural engineering• Civil engineering• Landscape architecture• Mechanical engineering • Plumbing engineering• Environmental engineering• Geotechnical engineering• Traffic engineering• FAA Study• Surveying
L.R. Kimball Designs First Baseball Park to Earn LEED Certification
In order to comply with NCAA regulations, the facility would need to be designed in a way that effectively separated the team facilities from each other. The Spikes also requested that a retail component of the park be prominent and accessible during the game and at other non-game times. Ticket sales were crucial, and the teams wanted to be sure the park’s design would help generate high revenue from group sales in addition to season ticket packages.The site location for the ballpark, had a vertical drop in excess of 60 feet. There was a dense layer of bedrock just below the surface of the ground and there were a number of existing utilities that could not be affected by construction. Additionally, careful thought had to be put into the ballpark’s design in order for it to maintain its own presence and identity next to Beaver Stadium, Penn State’s landmark football facility.Extensive consideration of the ballpark’s orientation and impact of sun location and angles also played a significant role in the final positioning of the facility.
The Case for L.R. Kimball
L.R. Kimball Designs First Baseball Park to Earn LEED Certification
THE SOLUTIONL.R. Kimball worked in collaboration with DLR Group to meet the challenges posed by the project requirements and created Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with exceptional results. While DLR handled interior design and structural engineering, L.R. Kimball managed all other areas of the project and for managing the project team. The extensive capabilities of L.R. Kimball were utilized for the design the ballpark. The project incorporated the firm’s expertise in architectural design, electrical and mechanical engineering, landscape architecture, civil engineering, surveying, geotechnical services, traffic engineering and construction administration.Of special significance, L.R. Kimball designed Medlar Field at Lubrano Park as a sustainable facility. Meeting all the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the ballpark exceeded—by a great margin—the standard ratio for undisturbed land to building site. It also surpassed the required energy-efficiency code by as much as 10 percent. L.R. Kimball used recycled and local materials to reduce the pollution involved in transporting supplies by truck.In its design work, L.R. Kimball consistently addressed the ballpark’s requirements with creative and environmentally sound approaches. The 5,500-seat stadium was developed to incorporate the quality of a AA or AAA facility in its scope and amenities. Its features include:
• Full-service themed concessions area• Natural turf playing field with custom designed drainage
system• 600-person picnic area with its own commissary• 18 suites and two party suites• “Fun deck” to accommodate hundreds of fans• High barstools and LCD screens for each seat above the
first-base-side bullpen• Festive outdoor atmosphere with festooned lights, standup
tables and a grille stand• Two very well-appointed batting tunnels with air
conditioning and heat so that players can work out year-round
• 500 parking spaces• View of Mount Nittany from every seat in the ballpark
In addition to baseball games, the ballpark was designed to accommodate concerts and special events. Concession stands are positioned so they can remain open during football games
L.R. Kimball Designs First Baseball Park to Earn LEED Certification
ARCHITECTURE • ENGINEERING • COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGYAVIATION | CIVIL | CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | DATA SYSTEMS | ENVIRONMENTAL
FACILITIES ENGINEERING | GEOSPATIAL | NETWORKS | PUBLIC SAFETY | TRANSPORTATION
and other activities. A ticket and retail pavilion frames a gated entry plaza and pre-function space for outdoor events and concessions. The fact that the pro and University team schedules did not overlap enabled designers to incorporate a single set of locker room restrooms and showers, along with one training room and weight room and still meet NCAA regulations. The locker room was AAA baseball quality, with wide, custom built lockers; bat storage; and footlockers for personal storage. At the same time, the coach’s office was designed to take advantage of the spectacular panorama of Mount Nittany to impress potential college recruits.Specialized materials were used to overcome other challenges. The pressbox in any ballpark is often a magnet for foul balls. L.R. Kimball covered the exterior of the Medlar Field press box with insulation and a highly impact-resistant finish that will not dent, along with impact-resistant glazing. Because it was important that the facility not be partial to either Penn State or the Spikes, the colors utilized for the interior and exterior finishes and signage throughout the facility are neutral. The ballpark’s positioning along Porter Road enabled the L.R. Kimball team to engage the facility with the adjacent campus roadways and structures and to maximize views of Mount Nittany. The expansive main entry plaza of Medlar Field is directly across from a major entry point to Beaver Stadium. This relationship helps facilitate the movement of large crowds during events and provides a connection point between both venues. Vertical architectural and lighting elements were incorporated into the overall ballpark design to anchor the facility at the terminus of Curtin Road and to help create its own identity and presence at the edge of the “athletic village.”Parking areas were effectively positioned on the north and south sides of the ballpark to allow convenient access to the facility. Excavation and earthmoving for the ballpark and parking areas was done in a manner which minimized bedrock removal and to effectively terrace the site to fit the facility onto a steeply sloping area. The team also pursued, through local zoning, a shared parking arrangement with the adjacent Bryce Jordan Center which effectively reduced the requirement for new parking by 50%. This approach resulted in significant project cost savings, contributed to LEED certification and also preserved valuable open green space on the south side of the ballpark which is utilized for football parking.
AE.A12.2010-04.CS004
L.R. Kimball Meets Demanding Schedule To meet the demanding schedule for design and construction of the ballpark, L.R. Kimball operated in conjunction with a construction manager to implement a fast-track schedule and multiple bid packages. The budget and schedule remained on target throughout the project, and L.R. Kimball met every bid package release date. To accelerate municipal and state agency approvals L.R. Kimball and the University worked closely with the local municipality to expedite the land development approval process. The project was approved in record time by local, county and state officials. The pre-design process was executed in 30 days and the schematic design 30 days later. Design development overlapped each bid package with production of contract documents to stay on schedule. Within 17 months from the initial contract award in November, 2004, teams were playing baseball on Medlar Field.
THE RESULTSCompleted at a total cost of $25.7 million, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park was named the top-rated ballpark for short-season/rookie A-level professional teams in 2009 by Baseball America. It topped a list of 67 facilities eligible to be considered for the honor. On the collegiate front, the field received a citation for design excellence from American School and University magazine, and in 2008, Rivals.com at Yahoo! Sports designated Medlar Field one of the top 10 college baseball stadiums in America.Perhaps of greater long-term importance, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is the first professional—and collegiate—baseball stadium to earn LEED certification for the green techniques employed in its design, construction and operations. Opened in June 2006, Medlar Field preceded the new Washington Nationals stadium in its LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Featured in Sports Business Journal’s sustainability issue, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park has been cited as being ahead of its time in its emphasis on environmental concerns.Since its opening season, Medlar Field has generated one of the highest per-capita revenue rates in the league for the State College Spikes, has led to an increase in the quality of recruits for Penn State and has proven to be a ballpark that fans love.
L.R. Kimball Designs First Baseball Park to Earn LEED Certification
