Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.
Design Architect
Local Architect of Record
Contractor
Photography
A few years after completing Salt River Fields in Scottsdale —the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training facility— the team approached us to design their academy in the Dominican Republic. By that point, they had developed a clear and comprehensive program for the facility. Building on this, we worked with them through a rigorous design process shaped not only by their own experience but also through extensive tours of other academies and training centers. Out of this exploration, two guiding themes emerged: to create a true campus environment and to embrace the tropical setting through both architecture and landscape.
The master plan establishes a collegiate-style campus by separating program elements into distinct buildings rather than consolidating them into a single large structure. This approach reinforces the identity of each function while encouraging interaction in the spaces between.
Visitors arrive at the most public area of the academy, where the administration building anchors the entrance plaza and provides orientation. This building defines the central axis of the site, with the “living” side to the north and the “working” side to the south. Centrally positioned at the heart of the campus, the dining hall serves as the social center, its broad outdoor patio offering a shaded space for gathering and community life.
To the south, the classroom building emphasizes the importance of education within the academy’s mission, set apart to ensure a quite environment for study. From there, the athletic building stretches westward, directly connecting student-athletes to the baseball diamonds, agility field, pitching mounds, and batting cages. To the north, the dormitory building is shaped to form an outdoor quad in conjunction with the dining hall, reinforcing the academy’s residential community.
The site itself holds special meaning for the Diamondbacks. It was home to their first academy, in operation from 1996-2003, and is tied to the earliest days of the organization and their historic and remarkable rise to win the World Series in 2001. This legacy added weight to the design and required careful consideration of existing site elements.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the site was the presence of mature laurel groves located between and around the diamonds. Preserving these trees became a priority, anchoring a larger landscape plan filled with lush tropical planting woven through the campus.
Architecturally, the design draws upon traditional tropical vernacular forms. Steeply pitched hipped roofs allow hot air to rise and escape, while low-slung deep overhangs and patios protect interior spaces from sun and rain. In contrast to the typical concrete framing used in many comparable facilities, the academy’s roofs are wood framed, introducing a warmth and authenticity that reflects the regional context. The overall effect is a campus that feels both modern in function yet deeply rooted in place.
The original site contained four baseball diamonds. One was reconfigured to create a state-of-the-art agility field, while the remaining diamonds were fully reconstructed to contemporary standards. The historic main axis of the previous layout was preserved and reimagined as a ceremonial space honoring the Diamondbacks’ legacy in the Dominican Republic. At one end, the Hall of Fame Plaza is lined with flags; at the other, the primary game field commands attention. The primary game field underwent a major transformation, with expanded spectator seating, a new observation tower, and—most notably—the distinction of being the first Major League Baseball academy field equipped with lights. This advancement allows for night games and exhibitions, establishing the facility as a new benchmark among MLB academies in the region.