CHS Field, the new home of the Double-A St. Paul (Minn.) Saints, bills itself as the “greenest ballpark in America.” Ryan Cos. (GC) and its design partners—Ryan A+E, Inc. (AOR), Snow Kreilich Architects, and AECOM (sports architect), envisioned a greenspace connecting the city’s Lowertown arts district to nearby riverfront parks and trails.
SILVER AWARD
CHS Field
St. Paul, Minn.BUILDING TEAM
+Submitting firm: Ryan Companies US, Inc. (GC)
+Owner: City of St. Paul, Minn.
+Design/interior architect: Snow Kreilich Architects
+Architect of record: Ryan A+E, Inc.
+Sports architect: AECOM
+Structural: Ericksen Roed & Associates
+Mechanical: Schadegg Mechanical, Inc.
+Electrical: Hunt ElectricGENERAL INFORMATION
Project size: 63,414 sf (enclosed); 347,000 sf (total)
Construction cost: $63 million
Construction period: July 2013 to April 2015
Delivery method: Design-build
The ballpark is the first such venue to meet Minnesota’s B3 Sustainable Building 2030 Energy Standards. The 13-acre site had to be completely remediated to remove chlorine solvents, coal tar, and lead from its days as a manufacturing hub. Five underground storage tanks had to be removed.
Fifteen percent of the ballpark’s power is derived from 100kw solar arrays. CHS Field collects stormwater from the stadium—and from the roofs of nearby buildings. The runoff is treated via sand filters, tree trenches, and rain gardens to prevent direct flow into the Mississippi.
The 7,210-seat stadium provides room for another thousand fans on its picnic-friendly “park within a park.” There are outdoor terraces at the suite level, berm seating and park space in left field, and a terrace off the adjacent main street. Thirty bus lines stop at the front gates.
The Building Team was responsive to the local community, which wanted an existing dog park at the site preserved, a public art courtyard in the ballpark, and a second entrance on the east side; all these requests were accommodated. Restrooms in the ballpark are kept open during the local farmers’ market. The front gates are left open during off-hours so that visitors can stroll around the concourse.
Last year, the Saints went 74-26 to win their division. They averaged 8,091 fans over 50 games—20% of their entire league’s attendance.
Who said green doesn’t pay?
The concourse allows fans to navigate 360 degrees around the 7,210-seat ballpark. Photo: Paul Crosby Photography/Courtesy Snow Kreilich Architects. Click to enlarge.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2023
'Underground climate change' can damage building foundations, civil infrastructure
A phenomenon known as “underground climate change” can lead to damage of building foundations and civil infrastructure, according to a researcher at Northwestern University. When the ground gets hotter, it can expand and contract, causing foundations to move and sometimes crack.
Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Jul 12, 2023
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings [AIA course]
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Dallas high-rise multifamily tower is first in state to receive WELL Gold certification
HALL Arts Residences, 28-story luxury residential high-rise in the Dallas Arts District, recently became the first high-rise multifamily tower in Texas to receive WELL Gold Certification, a designation issued by the International WELL Building Institute. The HKS-designed condominium tower was designed with numerous wellness details.
Industry Research | May 22, 2023
2023 High Growth Study shares tips for finding success in uncertain times
Lee Frederiksen, Managing Partner, Hinge, reveals key takeaways from the firm's recent High Growth study.
Mass Timber | May 1, 2023
SOM designs mass timber climate solutions center on Governors Island, anchored by Stony Brook University
Governors Island in New York Harbor will be home to a new climate-solutions center called The New York Climate Exchange. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), The Exchange will develop and deploy solutions to the global climate crisis while also acting as a regional hub for the green economy. New York’s Stony Brook University will serve as the center’s anchor institution.
Green | Apr 18, 2023
USGBC and IWBI unveil streamlined certification pathway for LEED and WELL green building programs
The U.S. Green Building Council, Green Business Certification Inc., and the International WELL Building Institute released a streamlined process for projects pursuing certifications for the LEED green building rating system and the WELL Building Standard. The new protocol simplifies documentation for projects that are pursuing both certifications at the same time or that have already earned one certification and are looking to add the other.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 26, 2023
UC Davis Health opens new eye institute building for eye care, research, and training
UC Davis Health recently marked the opening of the new Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute Building and the expansion of the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). Located in Sacramento, Calif., the Eye Center provides eye care, vision research, and training for specialists and investigators. With the new building, the Eye Center’s vision scientists can increase capacity for clinical trials by 50%.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 24, 2023
Average size of new apartments dropped sharply in 2022
The average size of new apartments in 2022 dropped sharply in 2022, as tracked by RentCafe. Across the U.S., the average new apartment size was 887 sf, down 30 sf from 2021, which was the largest year-over-year decrease.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Mar 23, 2023
Amsterdam debuts underwater bicycle parking facility that can accommodate over 4,000 bikes
In February, Amsterdam saw the opening of a new underwater bicycle parking facility. Located in the heart of the city—next to Amsterdam Central Station and under the river IJ (Amsterdam’s waterfront)—the facility, dubbed IJboulevard, has parking spots for over 4,000 bicycles, freeing up space on the street.
Geothermal Technology | Mar 22, 2023
Lendlease secures grants for New York’s largest geothermal residential building
Lendlease and joint venture partner Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, have acquired $4 million in support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to build a geoexchange system at 1 Java Street in Brooklyn. Once completed, the all-electric property will be the largest residential project in New York State to use a geothermal heat exchange system.
