The much-anticipated ballpark for the Houston Astros, which opened in 2000, includes approximately 42,000 seats, a retractable roof, an attached micro-brewery, and tour bus drop off. SWA, along with Rey de la Reza Architects, designed the entire ballpark site from the building to the curb, including the remodeling of historic Union Station, now part of the stadium.
Landscape features include “The Wedge,” a sloped turf panel used to imitate the scale of Union Station at the other side of the site (also a future development site) and a great lawn, positioned between Union Station and The Wedge, which may be used as a turf farm for the field. Entry pavilions at the terminus corridors of two downtown streets, were constructed to resemble train sheds of the past, and provide shade and scale to define the courtyard spaces. Special paving, historical site lighting, street trees and seating will help create a strong pedestrian atmosphere at the street level.
Texas A&M Kyle Field Renovation
Completed in 2015, Kyle Field represents the most extensive redevelopment of a collegiate athletic facility ever. Inspired by the theme “The Home of the 12th Man,” this project embodies the belief that at Texas A&M, fans don’t just watch the game, they affect the game. SWA worked closely with Populous to create the best college football experie...
Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre
SWA was retained to design the landscape of this mixed-use development collaboratively with Zaha Hadid Architects. It contains performing arts, hotel, residential, office and retail functions. Located adjacent to SWA’s Nanjing Youth Olympic Park, the design strives to merge architecture, the park landscape, and people at this iconic focal point. Landform...
Irvine Great Park Framework
One of the world’s largest municipal parks, the 1,200-acre Great Park in Irvine, California is now under development under a conceptual framework that encompasses redesign and implementation of near- and longer-term uses, with the intent to “put the park back into the park.” The vast site, which was once the Marine Corps’ El Toro Air Station, was first reimagi...
Heritage Field at Macombs Dam Park
Built in the footprint of the classic Yankee Stadium, Macombs Dam park ensemble consists of a variety of lush, contemporary green spaces in which the community can relax, socialize, and play. Heritage Field is perhaps the most highly anticipated piece of this South Bronx miracle, offering some of the city’s greatest places for running, sports, and athletic eve...