Safe!The Renovation of a

Century-old Warehouse into a Californian Ballpark

Project done by Kieran Neary and Ricky Coombs

Introduction

An explanation of the steps taken to renovate an old Western Metal Supply Company building into a state of the

art baseball stadium.

Architects Working on this Project:

-HOK Sport + Venue + Event

(Kansas City, Kansas & Missouri)

-Heritage Architecture & Planning

(San Diego, California)

-Antoine Predock Architect

(Albuquerque, New Mexico)

BackgroundSan Diego Padres decided to build a new

ballpark. They wanted a site downtown near Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego

Convention Center.One site seemed perfect (in terms of

location)

Big problem: a historic masonry warehouse occupied site (designed by

Sand Diego architect, Henry Lord Gay in the early 20th century)Building possessed industrial

architecture that distinguished that section of San Diego so renovation

of ballpark would have to preserve/reuse structure and its

architecture.

ProcessThe process to renovate the original structure; a Western

Metal Warehouse, consisted of four critical steps.

-Assessing the existing condition of the presented building

-Determining its gravity load capacity

-Altering structure so that it could perform new functions

-Seismically strengthening the building

Framing Features:

Gravity Framing System:

-determined to be acceptable for project

(would be able to support additions)

Additions to Flooring:

-First Level: filler beams

-Upper Two Levels: timber beams added between existing beams (supported by sliding onto blocking into place above

girders) *best looking

-Structural Decking:

-4” concrete topping poured over plastic sheeting protecting original wood

(4” solid planks covered by 7/8” sheathing planks)

Preservation Requirements:

-Preservation of Old Beams

*w/ modified additions mimicking old beams

-Preservations of Roof

*gradually lowered/flattened, new roof built above original- old roof hangs from

new framing

Specialty Framing Features:Subtractions:

*Occurred where major new openings were required for ballpark functionality

-floor openings for escalators

(vertical steel tubes brace masonry piers

against lateral loads tied back to floors to carry

lateral loads horizontally across openings)

-openings in walls for views of ballpark from planned suites

(lintels added to ensure masonry was

supported at all times)

Additions:

-ramps and landings

(permit circulation between old and new flooring)

-cantilevered balconies at each suite placed on two steel girders balanced on

steel brackets connected to internal concrete posts.

Requirements for Building

-Renovation required to be designed in accordance to California Historical

Building Code (1998)

*seismic design must be based on forces equal to 75% of values established by

1995 Cal. Building Code

(Seismic Design)

Selected Design:-3 sided box-

(3 walls with reinforced concrete liner)

*leaves western wall exposed

*wall openings on east, south, and north for max. amount of brick left

showing

-New concrete and steel posts added to meet requirements in 1994

Uniform Code for Building Conservation for URM walls

-Cantilevers

*made stronger/stiffer by truss work to avoid potential of and uncomfortable

sensation of bouncing/instability

(1997 Uniform Building Code seismic

activity or value “R” requirement)

*Other features effected by requirements:

-precast stepped seating

-pedestrian ramps

Bridges connecting grandstand and garden buildings:

-designed as cantilevers to grandstand in order to move freely at garden

building side in earthquake

Special PETCO Features

-viewing spaces along fences

-standing-room zones in grandstand

-41,000 seats

-60 suites

-family-friendly venue including field for play and area designated for

batting practice

Seating Bowl

*Seven Units:

-(1) left field under scoreboard

-(2) suites

-(3-5) grandstand seats

-(6) right outfield bleachers

-(7) centerfield bleachers

Garden Buildings: (behind home plate)

-main concourse level

-consist of lounges, kitchens, offices, and moreResulting gap forms

boulevard

Overall Design Motif Goal:

-to capture ambiance of ballpark from the past

In The Making

The Finished Product

Home Run!

http://padres.mlb.com/sd/components/sdballpark/seatviews/index.html

Works CitedInformation from:

- Scarangello, Thomas Z., P.E., M.ASCE, Joseph, Leonard M., P.E., M.ASCE, Kadakia,

Anjana, P.E. “Safe!”.

Pictures from:

-http://www.pbase.com/jwalk/petcopark&page=all

&

-http://suttonsolves.com/petco-park-2-29-04.html