HKS, Inc.’s Post

It's NFL Kickoff Sunday! 🏈 So, naturally we're talking #stadiumdesign! 🏟 Specifically, the idea of football stadiums and human-centric design. Let's kick it off: https://lnkd.in/gSe-vyG2 #NFLkickoff #stadiumarchitecture

We talk often about how physical places have the power to create connection between people, and we can think of few better examples today than stadiums-where individuals come together to relax, cheer, celebrate, and maybe indulge in a little competition. As our friends at Gensler say, that demand for in-person, connected experiences is as high as it’s ever been. We are rooting for our headquarters home team for the big game, the 49ers. What’s your most memorable stadium experience? https://hubs.li/Q02kx_zC0

The tech available to communicate architectural design has progressed to enable designers to showcase what is proposed, owners to share what they have envisaged, and users to anticipate what is coming. Stakeholders in the AEC industry can either embrace the power of a medium such as video and AI and stand out among the rest, or continue to do what they have always done. A simple choice.

Bienenstock is pushing boundaries—literally and figuratively. By empowering your stakeholders and listening to your vision, we design playgrounds and create your ideal natural playground. https://hubs.la/Q02PBfBR0

What does it mean when social interactions are increasingly shaped by consumer expectations? Spaces like the Freezer Theater and CBGB offered communities the freedom to define themselves, without the constraints of brand identity. I had the unique experience of being part of these venues. The Freezer was the starting point for Detroit’s hardcore scene, which evolved into industrial music and eventually into Detroit Techno. CBGB, initially conceived as a country and bluegrass venue, transformed into the birthplace of New York’s punk and new wave movements. What made these spaces special was their ambiguity—an open-endedness that was essential to fostering creative movements and meaningful rites of passage. Today’s commercial venues subtly dictate how people socialize, tying interactions to consumer behavior. As designers and urban planners, we should be asking if this trend is stifling creativity. How do we create spaces that encourage genuine human connection, not mediated by commercial interests? What happens when our cultural identities are formed within environments that prioritize consumption over expression? In the past, spaces like the Freezer were accessible to all. They were low-cost, inclusive, and encouraged anyone with a desire to explore and create. But today’s third spaces—curated parks, branded pop-up events, and commercial gathering spots—often require a financial buy-in, pushing away those who can’t afford to participate. This trend risks making cities more exclusive, where only those with disposable income can engage in the social life of the urban landscape. Should urban planners be thinking more critically about accessibility? What kinds of spaces can we design that foster diversity and inclusivity without the weight of commercial expectation? We also need to consider the impact of this shift on how culture is produced. In unprogrammed spaces, culture emerges organically, shaped by the people who inhabit it. The Freezer was a catalyst for Detroit’s industrial scene because it allowed for risk-taking and boundary-pushing. In a world where social spaces are increasingly brand-oriented, are we losing the environments that allow new cultural movements to form? Are we creating cities where creativity is constrained by the limits of consumer brands and programming? As urban planners and designers, it’s time to rethink what third spaces can be in the modern city. Instead of relying on the commercial model that has come to dominate, we should be exploring ways to create environments that encourage spontaneity, diversity, and true community-building. Can we find a way to design urban environments that foster the raw, unfiltered energy that once made these spaces possible? The answers to these questions will shape the future of our cities and determine whether they remain places where creativity can thrive.

San Francisco you broke my heart again, but W 😍 W what a game! If you're a lover of all things football, design, sustainability, or commercial development check out our Fidelity BUILT podcast on Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Next year, Brock. Next year. #commercialdevelopment #commercialdesign #commercialrealestatebroker #commercialrealestate #pdxrealestate #portlandrealestate #fidelitypdx #fidelityportlandcre #fidelitynationaltitle #leed #fidelityncs

In this article I share some thoughts about stadium design. As we look towards the future of stadiums, it is clear that these iconic structures are evolving far beyond their traditional role as mere sports venues. LaBella Associates @sportsarchitecture @stadiumdesign @architecture @venues

WHY SUPPORT 800 FULTON IN ITS DISPLAY OF URBAN ARTISTRY? WHY SUPPORT THE ARTS - It's not a simple answer, and it's an important question. The arts have, since the dawn of time, brought people together. It has universal human pull - we all dance, we all sing, we all love beautiful images and creative ideas. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts sector generated approximately $1.1+ trillion in economic representing 4.3% of the total U.S. GDP. Given this success rate, what better way to get people to visit a building, an office or a neighborhood. So it's big business, and it's human expression. Come to 800 Fulton on Sept 19 and immerse yourself in urban art (hip hop and more). I'll be showcasing my Fulton Marketg streetscape photography (sample below) - but I'm just one of many creative experiences activating the building. And there will be enough bespoke food and drink to satisfy even the most discerning foodie/drinkers (i.e. Jack McKinney, Jr. or Benjamin Cleveland) Get your tickets now - https://bit.ly/4g4eFW7 Torque LTD | C&G Construction Supply Company | Stream Realty Partners | 800 Fulton | CohnReznick LLP | Corey Jenkins

Today's read for me is Dr. Irina Akhmanova's #POV on designing for women sports. She says:"Don't segment us, include us". And I am listening. The importance of #inclusivity and #accessibility for sports facilities is growing rapidly during the past few years. This growth is well-fed not only by impressive achievements of the Paralympic sports movement and significantly increased interest to the female sport, but also by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations members in 2015, in which inclusive design affects six categories, including Economic Impact, Future Proofing, Health and Wellness, Social Impact, Equality and Equity and Opportunity. On the back of the two Australian sports venues Brisbane Lions Brighton Homes Arena and The Home of the Matildas, Populous Senior Associate Dr Irina Akhmanova describes the impact of the integration of female sports in day-to-day life of the elite and community sports societies, showing the commercial and social benefits from this integration.

Always creating beautiful urban images with its architecture.