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Design Intelligence in Practice: S.C.O.R.E. – Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics

By: Jonathan O’Neil Cole, AIA, NCARB, NOMA
Pendulum Studio

Executive Summary

Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics (S.C.O.R.E.) is a performance-based design framework developed by Jonathan O’Neil Cole, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, of Pendulum Studio. It advances architectural practice by integrating creativity, technology, and data to measure how design contributes to environmental, economic, and social outcomes. Building on the foundation established in Ballpark Design for the Future (Pendulum Studio, 2014), the framework translates design intent into measurable performance through continuous evaluation and feedback.

S.C.O.R.E. aligns with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence by organizing its ten measures into five domains: Strategy, Creativity, Operations, Research, and Experience. Each domain focuses on quantifiable aspects of design performance such as equity, efficiency, sustainability, and user well-being. The methodology is particularly suited for stadiums and civic venues where scale, occupancy, and operational complexity require a high level of coordination and accountability.

Recognizing that USGBC LEED v4 certification can be cost-prohibitive for projects ranging from $10 million to $100 million, S.C.O.R.E. applies equivalent rigor through a more flexible, data-driven process. The framework integrates tools such as BIM coordination, energy modeling, and life-safety simulation to provide transparent and verifiable performance metrics without the administrative burden of formal certification.

The Meritus Park project in Hagerstown, Maryland, demonstrates the framework’s effectiveness. Developed on a reclaimed brownfield site, the stadium reconnected neighborhoods through accessible pedestrian corridors, community spaces, and adaptive programming. Independent analysis verified outcomes consistent with LEED v4 Silver performance, including a 51.29 percent energy improvement, 26 percent water reduction, and 68.6 percent waste diversion. A timed egress simulation confirmed full evacuation within 14.6 minutes in compliance with NFPA 101 standards. The project’s design and programming have contributed to renewed downtown activity and community engagement.

S.C.O.R.E. positions architecture as both an art and a measurable science. By linking design excellence with operational data and economic value, it provides a pathway for architects, developers, and municipalities to achieve more resilient, equitable, and accountable built environments.

Architecture for Resilient Economies

Architecture today is defined not only by creativity but by accountability. Designers must demonstrate how each project performs economically, environmentally, and socially over time. S.C.O.R.E., Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics was developed to meet that demand. It ensures that every design move contributes to measurable outcomes that enhance community value and operational resilience.

At Pendulum Studio, S.C.O.R.E. turns design into a continuous process of learning and refinement. It merges technology, creativity, and financial strategy to ensure that civic spaces, especially stadiums, become sustainable engines of growth rather than single-use venues.

Circular infographic titled “S.C.O.R.E.” which stands for “Stadiums Created with Operational Resilient Economics.” The circle is divided into five color-coded segments, each representing a pillar: • S (blue): Integration & Equity • C (orange): Community-Driven Design • O (gray): Wellness & Functionality • R (green): Ecology, Energy, Water • E (black): Economy, ROI At the center of the circle is a dark blue inner ring with a light bulb icon and the number “50” in white.

The S.C.O.R.E. Framework

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Framework for Design Excellence defines ten measures that guide the profession’s responsibility to human and environmental well-being: Integration, Equitable Communities, Ecosystems, Water, Economy, Energy, Well-being, Resources, Change, and Discovery. These principles form the foundation of design excellence, promoting architecture that advances sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.

S.C.O.R.E., which stands for Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics, builds directly upon this foundation. It does not replace the AIA Framework but distills it into a focused system designed specifically for stadiums and large civic venues. These facilities present unique challenges, mass gatherings, variable occupancy, significant environmental impact, and enduring civic visibility. They must perform across physical, economic, and cultural dimensions.

Despite LEED v4’s status as a robust and globally recognized green building standard, its adoption by private developers and municipalities, particularly for mid-scale projects in the $10 million to $100 million range, remains modest. A primary barrier is cost: beyond registration and certification fees, which scale with building size and review complexity, projects often incur additional “soft” costs for coordination, documentation, specialty consultants, and performance modeling. These added expenses can represent 1 to 5 percent of total project budgets, making LEED less appealing in tightly constrained financial models. Municipal and private stakeholders often lack institutional capacity or incentives, such as dedicated sustainability staff or long-term operating budgets, to manage the complex documentation, verification process, and ongoing performance tracking that LEED requires.

Academic research also indicates that LEED adoption varies regionally, with project teams often focusing on easier credits rather than holistic performance, suggesting that the system’s procedural demands can discourage deeper implementation. In many cases, decision makers prioritize short-term returns or simpler compliance paths over certification when they cannot directly realize or recoup long-term operational benefits. Within this context, S.C.O.R.E. provides a more targeted and scalable technical framework for integrating performance metrics, life-safety modeling, and financial analytics into design practice, reducing administrative overhead and aligning more closely with stakeholder interests in accountability, adaptability, and measurable resilience.

Correlation Between the AIA Framework and the S.C.O.R.E. Domains

The following summary illustrates how the AIA’s ten measures of Design Excellence are distilled into the five interdependent domains of the S.C.O.R.E. framework. This mapping clarifies how broad architectural principles are transformed into operational strategies specific to stadium design and civic infrastructure.

AIA PrincipleCorresponding S.C.O.R.E. Domain(s)
1. IntegrationStrategy, Creativity, Operations
2. Equitable CommunitiesStrategy, Experience
3. EcosystemsStrategy, Operations, Research
4. WaterOperations, Research
5. EconomyStrategy, Operations
6. EnergyOperations, Research
7. Well-beingCreativity, Experience
8. ResourcesOperations, Research
9. ChangeStrategy, Operations, Research
10. DiscoveryResearch, Experience

Through this correlation, Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics becomes a practical extension of the AIA Framework, refining its universal measures into a system that accounts for the complexity and civic importance of stadiums. It ensures that each design decision contributes to measurable outcomes in sustainability, safety, financial performance, and public experience.

In doing so, S.C.O.R.E. reinforces the AIA’s vision of design excellence while providing a clear roadmap for how stadium architecture can perform as both a civic asset and an enduring economic catalyst.

Translating AIA Design Excellence to Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics

Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics (S.C.O.R.E.) builds on the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and organizes its ten measures into five interrelated domains that address the unique challenges of stadium architecture. Each domain reflects a balance of social value, environmental performance, and operational resilience, defining how civic venues can achieve measurable, enduring impact.

    • S – Integration & Equity
      Focuses on the coordination of people, place, and purpose. It emphasizes equitable access, stakeholder engagement, and community representation throughout the design process, ensuring that every project outcome strengthens civic inclusion and social balance.
    • C – Community-Driven Design
      Encourages participatory planning, cultural relevance, and long-term adaptability. This domain aligns design vision with local identity and collective benefit, positioning stadiums as platforms for year-round civic activation.
    • O – Wellness & Functionality
      Addresses user experience, comfort, and environmental quality. It integrates health-focused design strategies—such as daylighting, air quality, and universal accessibility—to support both occupant wellness and operational performance.
    • R – Ecology, Energy, and Water
      Centers on sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship. It measures performance across energy efficiency, water conservation, and material life cycles, ensuring stadiums contribute positively to their ecological context.
    • E – Economy & Return on Investment
      Links design excellence to fiscal responsibility. This domain evaluates long-term operational efficiency, maintenance strategies, and community return, confirming that resilient design also delivers economic value.

Through these five domains, S.C.O.R.E. creates a measurable bridge between design intent and realized performance, defining how architecture can simultaneously serve people, place, and prosperity.

This distillation allows the AIA’s broad measures to operate within the specialized context of stadium design, where environmental stewardship, operational resilience, and economic impact converge.

Case Study: Meritus Park – Hagerstown, Maryland              (2024 & 2025 Atlantic League Ballpark of the Year)

A labeled aerial map titled “Predevelopment Site Plan” showing downtown Hagerstown, Maryland. The map highlights the future Meritus Park site in red near the intersection of West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue. Yellow dashed arrows indicate the alignment of the historic trail connecting several key locations. Numbered blue circles mark sites identified in the legend: 01 – Hagerstown Housing Authority, 02 – Meritus Park Site, 03 – Harold Mail Building, 04 – Washington County Court House, 05 – District Court House, 06 – Washington County Library, and 07 – Historic Trail. The layout shows the site’s connection to surrounding civic, cultural, and public destinations.

Project Description

Meritus Park stands at the heart of downtown Hagerstown, Maryland, as a contemporary example of how civic architecture can reconnect history, culture, and community. The project occupies land that once housed Hagerstown’s first train station in the early twentieth century, a site that later became a light-industrial corridor as rail infrastructure expanded throughout the region. By the twenty-first century, this area had fallen into disuse, characterized by surface parking and vacant industrial buildings. The redevelopment of this site into a civic ballpark represents the city’s strategic reinvestment in its urban core and its industrial heritage.

For more than a century, Hagerstown has been a baseball town. Professional teams such as the Hubs, Owls, Braves, Packets, and later the Suns defined local identity and community gathering. From 1930 until 2019, Municipal Stadium served as the home for affiliated minor-league baseball and stood as a touchstone for civic life. Following the stadium’s demolition in 2022, the city sought to preserve its baseball legacy while reimagining how a ballpark could serve as an engine of downtown renewal. Meritus Park, which opened in May 2024, achieves that balance by combining heritage with innovation.

The image shows a predevelopment site plan for downtown Hagerstown, Maryland, using an aerial map to illustrate the location and surrounding context of the proposed Meritus Park site. The central area of the map is shaded red to identify the Meritus Park site near the intersection of West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue. A dashed yellow line with arrows traces the alignment of the historic trail, connecting the park site to nearby civic and cultural landmarks. Blue numbered circles mark seven key locations that correspond to a legend on the right side of the image: 01 – Hagerstown Housing Authority, 02 – Meritus Park Site, 03 – Harold Mail Building, 04 – Washington County Court House, 05 – District Court House, 06 – Washington County Library, and 07 – Historic Trail. The map emphasizes how the redevelopment area links to major public institutions and pedestrian pathways within the urban core.

The stadium’s design integrates seamlessly into Hagerstown’s historic urban fabric. It reconnects adjacent neighborhoods through improved pedestrian corridors and a realigned segment of the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Heritage Trail. The trail now flows directly through the site, linking the ballpark to downtown streets, the Arts & Entertainment District, and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. This new configuration enhances visibility, safety, and accessibility, transforming what was once a neglected edge of downtown into an active civic gateway.

Before redevelopment, pedestrian activity within the project area was limited primarily to daytime office use, with sparse evening and weekend traffic. Since the ballpark’s completion, preliminary observations suggest increased downtown pedestrian activity, particularly along West Baltimore and Summit Avenue. Local businesses have reported an increase in walk-in sales on event days, and the public spaces surrounding the park now host daily users even outside scheduled events. Meritus Park’s adjacency to residential and cultural districts has extended the rhythm of downtown life beyond the traditional nine-to-five window, creating a sense of continuity between civic, commercial, and recreational functions.

Public safety is an essential dimension of the park’s community impact. Prior to redevelopment, Hagerstown’s violent crime rate stood at approximately 712 incidents per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the Maryland and U.S. averages. Concurrently, Washington County recorded a 22 percent year-over-year reduction in fatal overdoses, signaling broader improvement in community health and engagement. While it is too early to attribute specific outcomes directly to the new stadium, the project has introduced conditions that research associates with safer urban environments: consistent activation, enhanced lighting, and “eyes on the street.” The Hagerstown Police Department has partnered with the city to monitor incident data around the stadium through public reporting tools such as CityProtect, providing a transparent foundation for evaluating long-term impacts.

Beyond its physical footprint, Meritus Park serves as a platform for civic participation. The venue operates as a multi-use destination, hosting concerts, festivals, markets, and educational programming in addition to professional baseball. These events have diversified downtown visitation patterns, strengthened local business exposure, and supported Hagerstown’s broader City Center revitalization strategy. The project exemplifies how intentional design and community-oriented programming can transform an underused industrial site into an inclusive civic catalyst.

Aerial view of Meritus Park in Hagerstown, Maryland, showing the ballpark integrated into the downtown fabric with surrounding historic buildings, tree-lined streets, and the colorful mural on the adjacent parking structure designed as part of the city’s urban revitalization effort. The stadium’s field, seating, and concourse are visible, emphasizing its role as a central civic and cultural destination.

Meritus Park demonstrates that architecture, when informed by history and guided by community purpose, can foster measurable improvements in urban vitality. It honors Hagerstown’s cultural roots while shaping its future, illustrating the potential for thoughtful redevelopment to unify heritage, accessibility, safety, and shared civic identity.

The aerial perspective of Meritus Park illustrates how the stadium serves as both civic infrastructure and cultural catalyst. Positioned on a reclaimed brownfield within downtown Hagerstown, it anchors a network of parks, pedestrian corridors, and local businesses. The design embodies AIA’s call for architecture that strengthens community resilience through adaptive reuse, economic stimulation, and environmental stewardship.

Infographic displaying S.C.O.R.E. performance metrics for Meritus Park with a total score of 43. The circular chart shows scores of 9 for Stadiums, 8 for Created, 9 for Operational, and 8 for Resilient. Supporting metrics include: 100% BIM integration across all disciplines with ticketing and accessibility equity, 100% energy modeling for the building envelope, 80% multi-use functionality supporting baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and concerts, 80% grid consumption reduction through LED field lighting, and 5% modular materials used for drink rails and seating. The data highlights Pendulum Studio’s integrated design approach emphasizing efficiency, adaptability, and sustainable performance at Meritus Park.

The accompanying S.C.O.R.E. performance dashboard (above) visualizes Meritus Park’s comprehensive evaluation under the five design pillars: Strategy, Creativity, Operations, Research, and Experience. The project achieved a composite score of 43, classifying it as an Exemplary Project-a quantifiable benchmark that links architectural quality with operational, environmental, and community outcomes. This measurable framework aligns with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) ‘Design for Integration’ principle by demonstrating how design excellence can be both creative and accountable.

Meritus Park: A Living Model of Operationally Resilient Economics

Meritus Park exemplifies the S.C.O.R.E. Framework in full application. Built on a reclaimed brownfield site, the project transformed underutilized land into a center for civic engagement. It combines sustainability, technology, and social activation into one cohesive design system.

The project achieved 57 points under the LEED v4 system, equivalent to Silver-level performance. Key metrics include a 51.29 percent energy improvement over baseline, a 26 percent indoor water-use reduction, and 75 percent stormwater capture. Materials tracking documented 57 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and a 68.6 percent waste diversion rate. Each of these outcomes was validated through independent LEED review, providing quantifiable evidence of performance.

Beyond the numbers, Meritus Park proves how sustainability supports economics. Reduced operating costs, enhanced comfort, and consistent community engagement all contribute to long-term viability. The project’s design also prioritized local labor and materials, ensuring that financial investment stayed within the community.

A wide-angle view of Meritus Park, a modern baseball stadium with green artificial turf and a red infield. The image is taken from behind home plate, looking toward the stands and press boxes under an overcast sky. Stadium lights are illuminated, and seating areas extend along both sides of the field. In the background, a colorful mural decorates a tall building, while smaller brick and white buildings line the right side of the scene.

This LEED v4 performance data supports the S.C.O.R.E. framework’s quantifiable impact. Each category-energy, water, materials, and community connectivity-directly aligns with the AIA’s ten measures of Design Excellence, providing verifiable evidence of performance and sustainability.

Meritus Park – Sustainability Performance Summary (LEED v4):

CategoryAchievementPoints
Integrative ProcessAchieved synergies between energy and water modeling, resulting in 51.29% energy cost reduction and elimination of permanent irrigation systems.1
Location and TransportationRedeveloped urban brownfield site within city core; High Priority Site in Qualified Census Tract; Walk Score 83; six bus routes within ¼ mile; 60% reduced parking footprint; 6 EV-ready spaces.10
Sustainable SitesFull compliance with erosion and sediment control plan; heat island reduction via high-reflectance roofing and paving; construction pollution prevention and stormwater management achieved.2
Water EfficiencyNo permanent irrigation system; 26.08% indoor water use reduction through low-flow fixtures and fittings; building-level water metering installed per LEED prerequisite.3
Energy and AtmosphereEnhanced and envelope commissioning; 51.29% energy performance improvement over ASHRAE baseline; building-level energy metering; non-CFC refrigerants; fundamental commissioning achieved.24
Materials and Resources57 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs); 10 products with embodied carbon optimization; 48.5 products with ingredient disclosure; 68.61% construction waste diversion via 5 streams; recycling plan implemented.5
Indoor Environmental QualityCO₂ monitoring in all densely occupied interior spaces; 100% low-emitting paints, coatings, adhesives, ceilings, and wall panels; thermal comfort per ASHRAE 55; construction IAQ plan and tobacco smoke control enforced.6
InnovationExemplary reduced parking (60% below base ratio); exemplary low-emitting materials (≥90% compliance in 4 categories); LEED AP BD+C involvement for project delivery.3
Regional PriorityEnhanced Commissioning; Sensitive Land Protection; Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses achieved regional priority thresholds for sustainability leadership.3

Total Achieved Points: 57 (Equivalent to LEED Silver Level under LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction and Major Renovation).

All 12 prerequisites satisfied, including commissioning, refrigerant management, water and energy metering, and tobacco smoke control, as verified by Elevar Design Group LEED documentation and final scorecard.

This combination of data and design demonstrates how S.C.O.R.E. converts architectural ideals into measurable performance. It proves that a well-designed stadium is not a cost center but an enduring community investment.

Although the owner of the facility required Meritus Park be designed to a USGBC LEED v4 Silver minimum as well as enhanced building envelope commissioning, they chose not to pursue formal USGBC certification.

Meritus Park – Life Safety and Technical Validation

Technical performance extends beyond environmental metrics. Pendulum’s integration of life safety modeling into S.C.O.R.E. reinforces its value as a framework for technical advancement. For Meritus Park, a comprehensive Life Safety Evaluation and Timed Egress Analysis were conducted to verify compliance with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and International Building Code (IBC) standards.

The stadium’s Type II-B construction with full sprinkler coverage and open-air design provides inherent fire protection and occupant safety. Timed egress simulations confirmed that under maximum occupancy, total evacuation time was 14.6 minutes-well within the NFPA 101 threshold of 20 minutes. Exit width, stair capacities, and travel distances were analyzed using computational modeling to ensure that all occupants could evacuate safely without congestion or delay.

This level of validation exemplifies the technical precision embedded in S.C.O.R.E. It treats life safety as a design performance metric, not a compliance checkbox. By combining code analysis, simulation, and real-world testing, Pendulum advances architecture into a data-driven, predictive science.

In alignment with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, which calls for architects to create environments that are safe, adaptable, and resilient, Jonathan O’Neil Cole elevates life safety from a baseline requirement to a measurable design performance metric. His S.C.O.R.E. methodology integrates technical modeling, timed egress simulations, and post-occupancy evaluation within the design process, setting a new standard for transparency and rigor in stadium architecture.

Meritus Park – Economic Sustainability as Design Intelligence

A color-rendered stadium site plan for Meritus Park in Hagerstown, Maryland, labeled “Stadium Site Plan.” The layout shows the baseball field with spectator seating, entry plazas, and surrounding amenities. Key locations are marked with numbered blue circles corresponding to the legend on the right. The legend identifies 17 features: 01 – Historic Trail Realigned, 02 – Home Plate Entry, 03 – Elevated Community Space, 04 – Field Level Seating, 05 – Asymmetrical Seating Bowl (Soccer), 06 – Escalator Access (2), 07 – Open Air Entertainment Zone, 08 – Elevated Group Party Deck, 09 – VIP Parking, 10 – Team Store and Ticketing, 11 – Landscaped Entry Plaza, 12 – Open Air Beer Garden, 13 – Group Plaza, 14 – Historic Trail Playground, 15 – Loading Zone/Trash and Recycling, 16 – Protective Netting, and 17 – Harold Mail Building. The map includes surrounding streets, Summit Avenue and West Baltimore Street, and indicates the stadium’s integration with adjacent public spaces and pedestrian pathways.

S.C.O.R.E. advances sustainability through the lens of economics. Operational resilience-efficient energy use, optimized maintenance, and community activation-translates directly into financial durability. At Meritus Park, these efficiencies lowered annual operating costs and extended system lifespans, proving that environmental responsibility and economic performance are inseparable.

Jonathan O’Neil Cole’s methodology aligns financial modeling with architectural design, establishing a new standard for how architects define value. S.C.O.R.E. demonstrates that data, design, and discipline can produce environments that perform for both people and profit.

Together, the S.C.O.R.E. metrics dashboard and Meritus Park’s built reality demonstrate the future of data-informed design practice: architecture that unites creativity with proof of performance, inspiring confidence among clients, stakeholders, and communities.

Conclusion: Architecture That Proves Its Value

S.C.O.R.E., or Stadiums Created with Operationally Resilient Economics, embodies Pendulum Studio’s belief that great design must be both visionary and verifiable. Developed by Jonathan O’Neil Cole, the framework transforms architectural creativity into measurable intelligence and civic value.

Meritus Park exemplifies this philosophy. Its performance, 57 verified LEED v4 points, a 51.29 percent energy improvement, and a 14.6-minute total egress time under full occupancy, demonstrates that design can achieve quantifiable results in resilience, safety, and sustainability. These are not incidental metrics; they are evidence of intentional, accountable design.

S.C.O.R.E. translates the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Framework for Design Excellence into action. It embodies the AIA’s focus on Integration, Well-being, and Change through measurable systems of strategy, creativity, operations, research, and experience. This alignment bridges human experience and technical precision, positioning design as a catalyst for both social and economic advancement.

Through this methodology, Cole demonstrates the architect’s role as a steward of performance. S.C.O.R.E. ensures that civic venues, particularly stadiums, evolve beyond entertainment spaces to become engines of urban renewal, drivers of local economies, and models of technical and environmental excellence.

Ultimately, S.C.O.R.E. demonstrates that design excellence can be quantified and taught. It demonstrates that beauty and accountability can coexist when design is guided by purpose, data, and human-centered outcomes. Under Jonathan O’Neil Cole’s leadership, Pendulum Studio continues to advance architecture as both an art and a science, delivering work that performs, endures, and creates lasting value.

Additional Pendulum Projects Completed with the S.C.O.R.E. Methodology

Neuroscience Group Field – Appleton, Wisconsin   (Renovation 2013 & 2023)


An infographic summarizing the S.C.O.R.E. performance evaluation for Neuroscience Group Field in Appleton, Wisconsin. The image features a nighttime photograph of the stadium entrance with snow on the ground and warm lighting. To the right, a circular S.C.O.R.E. chart displays a total score of 40, broken down by category: S (Integration & Equity) – 8, C (Community-Driven Design) – 9, O (Wellness & Functionality) – 8, R (Ecology, Energy, Water) – 7, and E (Economy & ROI) – 8. Below the chart are five circular metric graphics showing project performance indicators: • 100% BIM Integration for all disciplines including ticketing and accessibility equity • 100% Energy Modeling for the building envelope • 80% Multi-Use capability across baseball, concert, and community events • 70% Grid Consumption Reduction achieved through LED field lighting • 7% Modular Materials utilization for drink rails and seating. The design visually communicates quantitative performance outcomes within the S.C.O.R.E. framework, highlighting sustainability, multi-functionality, and efficiency.

Dunkin’ Park – Hartford, Connecticut (Completed 2017)

An infographic showcasing the S.C.O.R.E. performance assessment for Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Connecticut. The image includes an aerial photograph of the stadium taken at sunset, showing bright field lighting and a busy parking area. To the right, a circular chart displays a total S.C.O.R.E. of 42, broken down into five categories: S (Integration & Equity) – 9, C (Community-Driven Design) – 9, O (Wellness & Functionality) – 8, R (Ecology, Energy, Water) – 7, and E (Economy & ROI) – 9. Below the chart, five circular metric icons present quantitative project data: 100% BIM integration across all disciplines including ticketing and accessibility equity, 100% energy modeling for the building envelope, 70% grid consumption reduction achieved through LED field lighting, 66% multi-use capacity for baseball, concerts, and community events, and 3% modular materials used for drink rails and seating. The design visually communicates the project’s balanced performance across social, environmental, and operational domains within the S.C.O.R.E. framework.

Cool Today Park – North Port, Florida (Completed 2019)

An infographic showing the S.C.O.R.E. performance evaluation for CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. The image features a photograph of the baseball field with players on the grass and two people standing together in the foreground under a sunny sky. To the right, a circular chart displays a total S.C.O.R.E. of 41, divided into five categories: S (Integration & Equity) – 8, C (Community-Driven Design) – 8, O (Wellness & Functionality) – 9, R (Ecology, Energy, Water) – 7, and E (Economy & ROI) – 9. Below the chart, five circular indicators show specific performance metrics: 100% BIM integration across all disciplines including ticketing and accessibility equity, 100% energy modeling for the building envelope, 75% multi-use flexibility for spring training, minor league, concert, and community events, 70% grid consumption reduction through LED field lighting, and 7% modular materials use for drink rails and seating. The graphic conveys how the project achieves balanced environmental, operational, and community performance through the S.C.O.R.E. framework.

Up Next: WiSE Stadium – Wilson, North Carolina              (Scheduled Completion 2026)

An aerial architectural rendering of a modern baseball stadium complex surrounded by city streets and green space. The stadium features a brick exterior facade, a full baseball field with players on the field, and seating areas wrapping around home plate and along both baselines. A large mixed-use building with residential or commercial units overlooks the outfield. The surrounding area includes tree-lined streets, sidewalks, landscaped plazas, and parking areas, illustrating how the stadium integrates with the surrounding urban fabric.

About the Author: Jonathan O’Neil Cole and the Future of Design Economics

Jonathan O’Neil Cole, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, is the founding principal of Pendulum Studio. He developed the S.C.O.R.E. Framework to align architectural creativity with technical, operational, and economic sustainability. Cole’s approach challenges architects to move beyond form-making and embrace a future where design, data, and resilience define true excellence.

Sources & References

Primary Works by Jonathan O’Neil Cole

Technical and Sustainability References

    • The American Institute of Architects (AIA). Framework for Design Excellence. AIA.org, 2023.
    • United States Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction and Major Renovation Reference Guide. Washington, D.C.: USGBC, 2024.
    • Elevar Design Group. LEED v4 Documentation and Final Scorecard: Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports & Events Facility. 2024.
    • FP&C Consultants. Life Safety Evaluation Report and Timed Egress Analysis for the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports & Events Facility, 2024.
    • Pedestrian Wind Comfort and Stadium Microclimate Design. RWDI.com, 2022.
    • Buro Happold. Sports Venue Design and Environmental Modeling. BuroHappold.com, 2021.
    • International Code Council (ICC). International Building Code (IBC). 2021 Edition.
    • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 101: Life Safety Code. 2021 Edition.

Economic and Policy Context

    • United States Department of the Treasury. New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program Overview. CDFIFund.gov, 2023.
    • org. “Tax Increment Financing.” Definition and Explanation of Mechanism. Accessed 2024.
    • Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000. Public Law 106–554, 114 Stat. 2763.

Industry Research and Precedent Studies

    • Stadium Development Trends and Design Innovation Report. Populous.com, 2022.
    • Sports Business Journal. “The Evolution of Sports Venue Economics.” 2023.
    • Major League Baseball (MLB). Green Sports Alliance Sustainability Report. MLB.com, 2023.
    • Minor League Baseball (MiLB). Facility Standards and Design Guidelines. 2023 Edition.

Academic and Professional Frameworks

    • The American Institute of Architects. Design for Integration: Linking Creativity and Performance. 2023.

Public Safety

    • Maryland Stadium Authority. Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility Project Overview. 2024.
    • City of Hagerstown. Downtown Revitalization and Safety Operations Plan. 2024.
    • Hagerstown Police Department. CityProtect Crime Mapping Portal. 2024.
    • Washington County Health Department. Public Health Report: Overdose Trends. April 2024.
    • Hagerstown, MD Crime Statistics. 2023.
    • Hagerstown Crime Overview. 2023.
    • Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District. Cultural Trail Connectivity Map and Master Plan. 2023.
    • Baseball Reference. Hagerstown Baseball History and Team Lineage. Accessed 2024.
    • Maryland Historical Trust. Hagerstown Historic District Inventory. 2022.

Photo Credits

    • Dunkin’ Park – Robert Benson Photography
    • Meritus Park  (Aerial View) – Eric Hastings
    • Meritus Park (Field View) – Turner Construction
    • Cool Today Park – Atlanta Braves

 

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Long-awaited plans unveiled for a new Bakersfield Blaze ballpark

BY JOHN COX Californian staff writer jcox@bakersfield.com

After months, if not years, of anticipation, Bakersfield got the good news Thursday: a new ballpark is firmly in the works. Owners of the Bakersfield Blaze unveiled plans for a privately financed, 3,500-seat stadium that would become the first-phase centerpiece of the Bakersfield Commons mixed-use development project at Coffee and Brimhall roads.  Construction is expected to begin early next year and the ballpark could open in 2014, although not necessarily by the start of the baseball season. The $20 million stadium essentially would replace the county’s aging Sam Lynn Ballpark with a family-oriented facility to be accompanied eventually by new restaurants, retail and entertainment such as a new movie theater.  “The idea of this is to be more than just a baseball field,” said Gene Voiland, a prominent local oil executive who together with Bakersfield oilman Chad Hathaway purchased the Blaze last spring.  “We are putting together an entertainment complex.”  If approved as proposed, the 15-acre project would crown decades of sometimes frustrating negotiations aimed at giving Bakersfield a new baseball stadium. It would also comprise the “anchor tenant” considered key to attracting retail tenants to the 255-acre Bakersfield Commons project.  While the stadium would present new opportunities — it is expected to become a venue for concerts and, potentially, Cal State Bakersfield baseball — it also carries financial risks for the team’s new owners. By their own estimate, the new stadium will have to draw an average of 2,500 spectators per game, or about five times the typical Blaze home game at Sam Lynn. The expectation is that the project will bring The Blaze into the black financially, the team owners said Thursday.

Amenities

The team hopes to sell advertising at the stadium and offer naming rights. There would also be up to eight executive suites, as well as lower priced seating on grassy berms, together increasing capacity by 1,500 people. The Blaze will move its offices and training facilities to the site, and roughly double its full-time staff to as many as 20 employees. Many will be assigned to develop non-baseball revenue opportunities, Blaze General Manager Elizabeth Martin indicated.  Voiland and Hathaway disclosed their plans to The Californian Thursday morning, shortly before filing for a conditional use permit with the city of Bakersfield. They predicted that the stadium’s light, noise and traffic impacts will not bother area residents or present additional hurdles to city approval of the larger Bakersfield Commons project.  Upon receiving the team’s permit request Thursday afternoon, city staff scheduled a Dec. 11 hearing before the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustments to consider what amounts to an adjustment of the project’s existing approval.  Rhonda Smiley, assistant to Bakersfield City Manager Alan Tandy, who was away from the office Thursday, said city staff are “enthused” about working with The Blaze on the stadium. “Obviously the city … has been … long interested in bringing baseball — professional baseball — to a higher level in Bakersfield, in terms of an improved stadium,” Smiley said.

Laying groundwork

Some of the stadium’s groundwork is already in place. The Blaze has signed a 20-year, renewable lease with World Oil Corp., the property’s owner and developer of the Bakersfield Commons project.  The team has also hired two separate architectural firms – Pendulum Studio, a Kansas City, Mo. – based firm with experience designing sports stadiums; and Fresno’s Teter Architects & Engineers. The builder is to be Bakersfield-based Wallace & Smith General Contractors.  The project’s real estate adviser is Grubb & Ellis – ASU & Associates in Bakersfield.  How the project will be paid for is less clear. The team’s owners declined to discuss details of the necessary financing, saying only that no public money will be involved and that they are looking for local investors to help them move forward with the stadium.  World Oil representatives said they see the project as key to kick-starting Bakersfield Commons, which wouldn’t begin building about 300,000 square feet of adjacent retail and restaurant space until about the time the stadium opens. Residential and office development would follow later.  “The Blaze stadium is the perfect catalyst to get this started,” World Oil principal Robert Roth said in a written statement.  Access to the stadium would come largely from the Coffee Road exit of the Westside Parkway, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2012. Baseball fans will find some 830 parking spaces spread over eight acres.  Ticket prices have not yet been established but are expected to vary between $9 and $11 depending on where in the stadium the seat is located. Voiland said tickets won’t cost as much as $20.  “It’s still going to be family-priced entertainment,” he said.

On The Concourse

Playing around with LED boards and double-sided concourse/green space…”spare no expense”.

“All In A Days Work” – Audio interview about life, love and sports architecture

Click the link below to listen to a recent audio interview with co-founding principal of Pendulum Studio, Jonathan Cole and @DaysWorkPodcast.  The topics for discussion included the pursuit of architecture as a profession, relationships and market approach within sports architecture, marketing politics, project financing and favorite ballpark projects…dreams.

Audio Interview with Jonathan Cole, Ballpark Architect – Episode No. 48

East Crossroads Art Wall…Making Progress

We recently completed 90% construction documents on a new Crossroads Art Wall that will encase an existing KCP&L Substation located at 18th and Holmes.  A Full scale 12′ x 12′ plywood mock-up with concealed color changing Lightwild LED fixtures was constructed as an intermediate “check and balance” prior to breaking ground.  The mock-up revealed last-minute adjustments that would be required to maximize the execution of  lighting, media programming, and long-term security.

Once the Owner approved the preliminary mock-up pictured above, Zahner immediately starting constructing a final full-scale version in weathering steel (Solanum Steel).  The official groundbreaking will be held on site shortly, construction is scheduled to be complete by early summer 2012.

We almost forgot to mention…it’s powered by solar.

The Normal, IL Corn Crib Revisited

Natural Birth – From Lines to Final Design

If you’ve never designed a building that’s actually been built, the closest thing I can liken this process to is the birth and rearing of a child.  While in most cases you had a great deal of fun making the baby – there’s always that anxious anticipation that exists while you wait nine months for it to finally reveal itself to the world.  Prior to the birth of my first son I remember constantly wondering: what’s he going to look like? What are people going to say about him? Is he going to be healthy…with all his fingers and toes? Am I even worthy of the privilege of being a parent?  The reality of the matter is there’s quite a few variables that contribute to how things will ultimately turn out – some in our favor and others that challenge us as individuals.  Either way as parents we learn to shoulder that responsibility and forget about excuses.  As a father of three (two boys and one girl), I can truthfully say that each of my children are unique with their own little quirks and temperaments; what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other, and they certainly test my patience from time to time…well, actually on a daily basis.  Be that as it may, in my eyes they are adorable – I’d do absolutely anything for them and although the existence of those “little personality quirks” are trying and sometimes less than appealing in public, they are my kids and I love them to death.

The same is true with buildings that we as architects design.  We invest countless hours during pre-development in pursuit of being selected for the project.  We then spend months conceptualizing, studying the site, responding to existing context, interpreting code requirements, attending public meetings, and pitching design ideas to owners, all while attempting to balance the ever-changing variable we loving refer to as the budget.  We fight in behalf of sacred cows (key design elements) that often get slaughtered, we passionately debate scope, and we ride the tide of political will…something we as architects were never prepped for during the college years.  Finally at the end of six to eight months of design/documentation and ten to fourteen months of construction it’s time for opening day at the ballpark.  There’s no tell-all journal published that outlines the arguments over additional services, change orders, screw-ups in the field, or squandered design opportunities; on occasion we actually show up to opening day with a few scars…but that’s our job as the architect, we shoulder the responsibility and forget about excuses.  While there’s always things we wish we could go back and change, there’s always that one thing that we adore about our design – until someone decides to knock the building down, no one can take that away from us.

The Return Home

In 2008, when Pendulum Studio was commissioned to design a $9,000,000 multi-use ballpark on the Heartland Community College Campus, we knew going in that the budget was tight, so our strategy was simple…keep it simple.  Now that the facility is complete and in the midst of its second full season of operation we were invited back to lead a tour for 50 fans interested in the inner workings of the facility.  To be honest, this process was as informative to us as it was intended to be for the fans – this kind of exercise is a great way of gauging if we were successful in executing what we set out to accomplish; aside from operational feedback from the team, who better to hear it from than dedicated fans?


One of my favorite things about this ballpark is the surprise that’s unveiled when you walk through the gates in the outfield and up the stairs, or from the sidewalk through the main gates behind home plate and catch your first glimpse of the playing field.  It’s a great feeling when you realize that even though from the street the exterior facade is not extravagantly ornate, the openness of the outfield concourse and the deliberate break in the press box building mass behind the bag forms a view corridor that immediately sends a signal to your brain that says “this is going to be a great place to watch a game.”

The main entry concessions behind home plate are flanked by keg storage rooms and adjacent open patio areas that were originally intended to serve as beer gardens with tapped counters and bar stools.  Although the beer gardens were not executed in the initial build, beer lines and power has been stubbed up in the appropriate locations for future use.  In the interim both areas have been landscaped to offer a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the busy main concourse.

As you work your way down the first base concourse toward the outfield entry there’s no shortage of grass berm seating – room for approximately 1,500 down each line – 3,000 total.  We engineered the slope at grade identical to the seating bowl to allow for future expansion of additional seating sections, group decks, and party areas as demand rises and funding becomes available.

The outfield wall was intentionally designed to be low and deep to create great lines of sight even at the lowest points near the base of the wall.  There’s a future opportunity for the installation of drink rail and sponsor advertising at the top of the berm along the concrete walk – the picture below illustrates this vantage point from the top of the berm; the only thing that would make this experience better is an ice-cold beer in your hand.

The scoreboard below is positioned just in front of the locker room facilities in right-center.  When the home team takes the field, they walk directly out of the locker room under the scoreboard, then down through the corn to the playing field surface.

The Future…Room For Smart Growth

Phase one of this project involved a great deal of pushing and pulling.  We stretched our dollar pretty far and created a nice starting point for where we’d like to see things ultimately go a season or two down the road.  The future addition of concourse roof covering, drink rails in the outfield, group decks, outfield entry roof to match home plate, the installation of our original 20′ x 40′ drive-in movie screen and finally a pedestrian bridge to connect both ends of the concourse will help the facility to fill out a bit and grow to full maturity.  It’s going to take time to get there, and the $1M that’s required to make it happen is not going to be easy to obtain but as my father always says, “timing is everything”.  With an announced 3,100 in the crowd and an actual attendance of approximately 2,500 on a friday night (7/8/2011) and with the expectation of 5,000 on Saturday for the game followed by their first concert, I’m confident they will make it happen sooner than later.

As I mentioned at the outset of this post, designing and constructing a building – in this case a ballpark, really is like birthing and rearing a child.  There’s a lot of give and take, a little sacrifice here and there but as designers, architects, “parents”, we shoulder that responsibility.  At the end of our day at the ballpark, there were two things that happened that were pretty fulfilling: 1) post tour – the fans told us how much they sincerely enjoy attending ball games at this facility, 2) for the first time I got to sit in the stands with my business partner and our families and just relax and enjoy.  We are proud of our work.

East Village Redefined

 

Although we previously posted information about the start of phase one of the East Village project, we did not outline the complete vision for the overall development.  With the multi-family housing and adjacent parking garage making rapid progress toward completion in October of this year, we eagerly anticipate the proposed additional phases outlined in our master plan.

Green Bay Bullfrogs on the boards…literally

My Design Process

The first thing my oldest son asks me when I get home is: “what did you do at work today – did you have fun?”  With exception to the days that I spend in meetings or on the road my typical answer is: “I sketched most of the day…yep it was a good day”.

Just over a year ago we were cranking away on the Green Bay Bullfrogs’ new stadium and something inspired me to start taking video of our design process for just about everything I do.  Needless to say, I’ve got hours of video – this one being the first of a series that features me on the boards with my favorite triangle and circle template.

Based on the wardrobe changes in the video this was a three-day sketch.  Although I pushed the speed to 8x in editing, we spent quite a bit of time thinking about how best to tie into existing site context (Fox River & downtown to the east, arts district to the west), blur the site boundary lines (outfield boardwalk & playground), and maximize revenue generating potential (everything inside the secure line).