The Grove
advanced studio, fall 2025
This project explored what design can do to change the perception of a Floridian city and its ballpark. Sports venues can play a key role in creating a sense of place and pride in a community. We transformed a dull shipyard in Tampa Bay into a vibrant urban center (and the proposed new home of the Rays), bringing baseball to the water and preserving the shoreline biodiversity. A soaring, organic, “ray-like” roof served as an architectural jewel of the coast, shading the field and reflecting the stadium’s environmental attitude and spirit.
Our site sat on the Ybor Channel, the final stop in a procession of existing institutions located along the water’s edge (aquarium, convention center, hockey arena, and concert hall). The ballpark was not only an anchor point for the district, but also a bridge that connected to the downtown development on the north side. From east to west, buildings stepped down in scale and the density of vegetation increased. A living shoreline, complete with a thick forest of mangroves and an oyster hatchery, served as a barrier against rising water. Canals wove through the site, taking in floodwater and diverting it to retention basins.
The positioning of the ballpark and the existing aquarium on either end of this new district created a central spine that supporting programs (retail, residential, entertainment, institutional, office, and parking) branched out from; the mangrove’s outstretched roots served as an organizational principle for the planning of the development.
The “fins” of the roof touched down on eight points, and the arches formed between them were connected by an undulating canopy. The canopy extended past the boundary of the ballpark to partially cover the outdoor plaza. The glass enclosure allowed for easier ventilation and framed views of the waterfront and incoming cruise ships.
The concourse was elevated 20 feet, freeing up space for field-level operations. On game days, the whole plaza was occupiable. Concessions were double sided, encouraging movement inside and outside the ballpark, within and around the enclosure. The shaded oculus at the top of the canopy brought in soft dappled light to emphasize the feeling of openness while indoors.
Instructors Janet Marie Smith, Matthew Rosen, Alan Plattus
Partner Adimchi Atisele
