North Port, Florida

On Sunday, March 24, 2019, we joined The Atlanta Braves and our design team to unveil CoolToday Park to the public for Opening Day. We are confident it was a day that fans will remember.

This 6,000 seat, 8,500 capacity ballpark features state-of-the-art amenities that will cater to delivering an unparalleled fan experience.  There are few organizations that have as rich of a baseball history than the Atlanta Braves.  Pendulum was selected to lead the design effort on the ballpark portion of the project.  Fawley Bryant Architects is the architect of record lead designers for the 55,000 square-foot clubhouse as well as the balance of the spring training grounds which consists of practice fields, agility training, maintenance, and academy.

The way people watch baseball has shifted over the last twenty years. While traditions of old related to the way the game is played remain, the average patron in the ballpark is different, expectations are higher. Patrons are demanding unique options when it comes to food, beverage, and even type of seat. The typical demographic of attendees at games is no longer male dominated; women and extended families are now the norm. There is an overwhelming demand for enhanced technology from inside the park to the outside world. The Braves have consistently demonstrated that they understand where the sports business market is headed and have managed to operate ahead of the curve. Our design of CoolToday Park appropriately compliments the Braves ability to look ahead and to deliver an experience for their fans that will be unparalleled in spring training. Our design celebrates the Braves’ rich history by honoring baseball hall of famers in larger than life imagery on select building facades.  We’ve borrowed elements from SunTrust Park such as outfield wall dimensions and several other amenities so that players and fans alike that attend games in North Port will feel like they are at home.

Wyco Vintage is a boutique retail storefront located just outside of the Westport neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri. The owners specialize in the collection and sale of rare vintage t-shirts, premium sneakers and urban collectibles. Although they already owned a storefront in nearby Merriam, Kansas and a thriving e-commerce site, Pat Klima (Wyco Vintage founder) had a vision for a strategically placed new storefront in the urban core. Klima and Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole met through mutual friend Nancy (Manager of Port Fonda) and immediately recognized their shared passion for clean lines and crisp details. The initial conversation lead to several more discussions, then a design charrette, and before long Pat found the perfect location for the new Wyco Vintage storefront. 

“Good things come in small packages…” the old adage goes. The new Wyco Vintage storefront is no exception, the usable interior space is roughly 800 square feet.  At the time of Pat taking over the lease it was being used as fabric shop. The existing wood veneer floors were in great shape, and the walls and ceilings were not too bad either. However, to accomplish the crisp New York boutique style that Pat was going for Pendulum would need to maximize the available floor space and design a way to organize inventory on the walls without looking cluttered.  In addition to square footage constraints the project needed to be completed fast… fourteen (14) days from the start of construction to finish!

Pendulum collaborated with Dale Frommelt of Fab+ and Pascal Meya of Meya Metalworks once again to transform the design concept into built reality.  Frommelt engineered and fabricated the floating backlit wall panels and elevated display pedestal.  Meya fabricated custom metal hanger rods and shoe pegs, while Cole sourced materials, painted custom assemblies and managed the installation sequencing.  The finished product is a testament to their collaborative spirit, attention to detail and passion for delivering design that exceeds client’s expectations.

Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Police Athletic League is a non-profit organization that provides inner city youths between the ages of 4 to 19 with an opportunity to learn through athletics, and develop the confidence and motivation to achieve excellence in life.  PAL's athletics programming includes baseball, basketball, cheer, football, golf, soccer, softball, T-ball, track & field, and volleyball.  Approximately two years ago Detroit PAL strategically aligned with The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy (OTSC) who's mission is to promote the sustainable redevelopment of the Old Tiger Stadium Site and revitalize the Corktown district of Detroit (corner of Michigan & Trumbull). Pendulum was selected to redevelop the historic Tiger Stadium site into a place for local youth to receive health and wellness training from the Detroit Police Athletic League.

This site in particular was the subject of major debate because the original stadium was demolished years ago. The only remnant of history left on site was the playing field surface itself and the flagpole that still stood in the field of play just inside the outfield wall. Pendulum worked to establish the required Detroit PAL program which ultimately ended up being a 22k square foot headquarters with a second floor banquet facility, youth locker rooms, and a flexible artificial turf playing field. Aside from the project being the first major redevelopment in the Corktown community since the rapid decline of the city of Detroit during the 2007 economic downturn, this project represents an incredible exercise in community support for the advancement of inner city youth. The former Detroit PAL headquarters was located only five blocks north of the redevelopment site. This state of the art facility has legitimately put Detroit PAL on the map as a major player in the philanthropic community.  

The City of Gastonia selected Pendulum to assist with the design of a 3,500 capacity multi-purpose facility that will accommodate baseball, soccer, lacrosse, football, basketball, volleyball, and other civic events.  The goal is to simultaneously develop adjacent existing parcels that include a textile mill building as well as other buildings active with industrial uses.  After three lively discussions with public input the development program and facility amenities have become much more well defined.  With a scheduled completion date of April 2020 we are very excited to have a hand in the metamorphosis of the downtown city of Gastonia Fuse District.

Hartford, Connecticut

The new Eastern League Class "AA" ballpark for the relocated New Britain Rock Cats was be completed for the 2017 baseball season. Located at the intersection of Main and Trumbull in a stagnant section of the City now being referred to as Downtown North (DoNo),  the ballpark will serve as an anchor tenant and catalyst for $360,000,000 of proposed new development that will include housing, retail, and commercial uses.  Pendulum was selected by the City of Hartford to lead the ballpark design effort with a focus on innovative solutions appropriate for an expanding urban core. 

Awarded Ballpark Digest's 2017 AA Ballpark of the Year

Photos by Robert Benson Photography

Utica, Michigan 

The new ballpark in Utica, MI located at the corner of Auburn and Moscone Drive will be the first of several new ballparks for an emerging professional baseball league developed by General Sports Entertainment.  Pendulum was selected to design the first ballpark as a prototype for new markets as they develop.  While there will be similarities in program and scope the "big idea" is to allow site and context to govern design which will create the individually unique character that Pendulum designs are known for.

2017 Phoenix Award Winner for Community Impact

The Phoenix Awards Executive Committee selected Jimmy John’s Field as its 2017 Phoenix Award Winner for Community Impact brownfield redevelopment project, as well as voted the 2017 People’s Choice Award.

The Phoenix Awards recognize exemplary brownfield redevelopment and revitalization projects that offer a fresh take on significant environmental issues, show innovation and demonstrate positive community impact. A brownfield is an abandoned, idled, or underused industrial or commercial facility in which redevelopment is burdened by real or potential environmental contamination.

Formerly, the site of Jimmy John’s Field was an unregulated landfill for household waste that had to have significant environmental remediation done. Today, the $15 million, independent league ballpark is breaking attendance records as an area fan favorite and vital economic driver.

2017 ACEC Michigan Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award

The American Council of Engineering Companies Michigan Chapter (ACEC/M) has awarded its most prestigious honor, the Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award, to Jimmy John’s Field.

Luther Williams Field is a 75 year old historic ballpark located in Macon, GA - approximately an hour outside of Atlanta, GA.  The ballpark has a rich history hosted teams and events including the Atlanta Braves MiLB team, the now defunct Southeast League Macon Music, as well as serving as the film set for the critically acclaimed motion picture “42” that chronicled the life of Jackie Robinson during his MLB debut.

Although Luther Williams Field has enjoyed the aforementioned success over they years, the City of Macon has struggled to retain tenants because the facility infrastructure is too old to accommodate the evolving baseball patron demographic.  The days of patrons attending games to simply watch the game are long gone.  Modern baseball, especially at the MiLB level is keenly focused on affordable family entertainment, so it is very apparent that more fixed armchair seats is needed at current facilities to encourage the long-term economic sustainability of the tenant/team.

After several collaborative sessions with City of Macon leadership we were able to determine a path for moving forward with a $2.5M investment in semi-premium amenities and facility infrastructure with the goal of luring fans to the facility and then encouraging them to come back for more.  The renovation included the following:

Twelve new concession points of sale

Full service production kitchen

Covered open air food cart zone (8 powered food carts)

Two new restroom facilities

Kid’s fun zone

Six Cabana suites (covered, open air suites)

Covered party deck area (accommodates 200)

Open air beer garden (patio tables and umbrellas)

Covered batting area and relocated bullpens 

Reconditioned seating

Reconstructed outfield wall

Reconditioned team store

Reconditioned player facilities (minor upgrades)

Although the budget associated with the project was modest when compared to the scope of work required to resurrect the facility AND recover from damages suffered from a recent storm, we are confident that the Macon Bacon (tenant) and the City of Macon (Owner) will enjoyed many years of success as a result of this renovation.

In addition to infrastructure, Pendulum also assisted in the development of way finding and brand integration that respects the history of the facility while celebrating local business/sponsors, and creating an exciting and energetic atmosphere for visiting patrons.

Kansas City, Missouri 

Named as the top 200 best photographers in the world, Lindsey and Linden Wade sought to relocate their photography space to an old abandoned metal warehouse. The four parcel purchase included an attached brick warehouse that Pendulum converted to an event space featuring a seven foot chandelier. A beer garden featuring one of the only green spaces in the East Crossroads dawns a party tent as needed to adjacent parking.

The design reflects the era of the 1920's using Edison light bulbs, subway tile and tin metal cornices. The exposed brick, exposed barrel vault and custom metal stairs with copper tread trimming adds a nice balance between old and new. Reclaimed hardwood ceilings from a barn and kitchen island and bathroom sinks from the floor of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle plant speak to the inherent sustainable approach to design. 

2013 NOMA Design Excellence Citation

Kansas City, Missouri

This project is an adaptive reuse of an industrial building located in the redeveloping East Crossroads District of Downtown Kansas City MO.  The owners of the building are automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts so it seemed appropriate for this 5000 square foot former transmission repair shop be transformed into an office space that is as much about work as it is about creativity and play; an interchange of ideas that involve outer beauty and inner complexity.  Many of the materials featured on the vertical surfaces of the interior space where repurposed from structural beams and walking surfaces of the original construction.  There is an abundance of custom steel and glass work throughout the project that serve as a physical separator without heavy visual obstruction.  The “openness” of the design and the raw appearance of the repurposed materials makes the interior space feel authentic not overdone.  The Owner’s personality permeates every surface of the building and makes each space feel like a different aspect of home…with an abundance of public, semi-private and private spaces.

Holly Springs, North Carolina 

Holly Springs Park is the newest addition to the Coastal Plains League repertoire.  The ballpark is one component of an overall master plan that includes soccer fields, tennis courts, a miracle field, public hospitality, as well as a future indoor gymnasium.  The ballpark is sited to maximize pedestrian interaction along Main Street while fostering the potential for future commercial/retail development at the street edge.  The focus of our design inside the secure lines is affordable family fun with an emphasis on comfort.  The expansive roof design will protect patrons from direct exposure to the elements and create opportunities for the facility to be used during non baseball events for farmer's markets and other civic activities.

Kansas City, Missouri 

Much like the guilds of past eras, the Guild Kansas City was designed to be a hub of creativity and a place for local artists, musicians and builders to gather, work and play. The latest venue in the Crossroads Art District  was created with the intention of channeling like-minded creatives and encouraging collaboration and partnerships across artisan trades.

Located on the east edge of the renowned art district, The Guild is a unique historic event space that includes an outdoor garden, large open spaces and catering kitchen. Pendulum provided design and construction services, in which they carefully renovated the histroic structure, while introducting reclaimed wood and steel materials to compliment the space in a way that radiates a distinct vintage charm. 

2013 NOMA Design Excellence Citation

Memphis, Tennessee 

Although AutoZone Park has been recognized as one of the most picturesque and classic ballparks in all of Minor League Baseball since it’s inaugural season in April of 2,000, a recent change in ownership and shifts in the ever evolving baseball business model warranted a second look at its amenities.  Pendulum was appointed by the St. Louis Cardinals to lead the effort in modernizing the premium and semi-premium offerings internal to the ballpark with hopes of maintaining the allegiance of long-term patrons and attracting interest of a growing community of young professionals.  The ideas and concepts that are the product of the initial discussions with the Cardinals have been game changing.  We removed approximately 3,500 seats from he seating bowl and replaced them with group areas, grass seating berm and hospitality structures.  We removed 12 of the existing 40 premium suites and repurposed the space in the form of a large premium club behind home plate with views to the playing field surface, a billiards lounge down the right field line, on site team administration offices relocated from off-site rental property to the third base line, and an outfield BBQ zone.  In addition new digital ribbon boards were added throughout the facility to enhance the visual excitement of the seating bowl.  All of the work (design and construction) was completed during the off-season.

Photo Credit: Mark Fleischer

Kansas City, Missouri 

After the Beacon Hill neighborhood was strained by the impact of the recession, redevelopment efforts gained new life with the returned strength of the housing market. Pendulum was commissioned to design two new homes to help fill the blight of the community. 

Targeted to young professionals, the pair of houses are located adjacent to each other and display similar approaches to massing and materials. Due to the unique forward sloping site the street level entry only accommodates pedestrian entry access. A large concrete planter box adjacent to the front entry encourages gardening and creates privacy for the front bedroom window. All three bedrooms are located on the street level floor with two full baths. Scaling the stairs to the upper level is where the kitchen, dining, living and balcony give opportunity for a view shed to downtown Kansas City. The garage is accessed from the alley on the second floor. The second floor ceiling follows the vault of the gable roof pitch of one house and single shed pitch of the other. Exterior hardy and cedar siding display efforts to simplify materials and consider economy. These spec homes demonstrate an alternative design approach to traditional housing of the surrounding communities and attempt to redefine the identity of Beacon Hill through it’s creative look at the built environment.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: TO BE COMPLETED 2016

Kansas City, Missouri 

Kansas City, Missouri 

Once an eyesore on the corner of 18th and Locust in Kansas City, Missouri, the transformed Crosstown Substation in the Crossroads Arts District was unveiled to the public in June of 2013.

After years of deterioration, the wall surrounding the substation was in desperate need of repair. KCP&L's decision to repair the existing wall was eclipsed by a vision to replace the wall with a new design that would reflect the Crossroads' artistic community spirit, enhance the surrounding area and provide an attractive connection to the 18th and Vine District. 

The design wraps the substation in weathered steel and white concrete that has the illusion of illumination in the dark. Seizing the opportunity to create an iconic symbol of longevity in the neighborhood, an "eyebrow" of weathered-steel panels wrap around the upper facade of white concrete that periodically makes an appearance from the rust colored panels. Once the sun sets, over 10 thousand LED lights powered by 115 solar panels bring an exciting illumination to the city block. 

2014 EDC Cornerstone Award Winner for Energy

2014 Kansas City Chapter AGC Building Excellence Award Finalist Project of the Year

2017 NOMA Honor Award Built Category 

McAllen, Texas 

The McAllen TX Baseball Complex is located at the developing northern edge of McAllen TX approximately 45 minutes outside of South Padre Island, right along the Mexico border.  The facility program consists of 16 fields with an array of field dimensions to accommodate youth sport and adult organized play.  The facility is equipped with patron amenities that include concessions, restrooms, shade structures, meeting rooms, in addition to public outdoor amenities such as walking trails, playgrounds, and water features.

Grand Chute, Wisconsin 

Time Warner Cable Field was originally constructed in 1995 during an era of Minor League ballparks that were primarily geared toward compliance with minimum National Association standards. Although this strategy provided a safe and comfortable destination for enjoying America's favorite pastime, shifts in the traditional business model over the past 17 years has presented quite a few challenges for most teams operating in facilities built prior to late 1990's. A few of these key challenges include: 

- Shortage of concession points of sale

- Lack of appropriate toilet fixture ratios

- Lack of diversity in seating inventory

- Inability to operate year-round

- Inadequate storage capacity

Pendulum was commissioned by the Grand Chute Sports Authority to not only solve the aforementioned challenged but more importantly to look ahead to the future of baseball operations and establish where the market is going rather than simply where it is right now.  

Kansas City, Missouri 

The East Village Apartment building is the first phase of a master planned ten block redevelopment of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. This fifty-unit, four-story residential building was designed to compliment the neighboring Power & Light Entertainment District and accommodate Kansas City metro citizens who desire to live and work within the urban core. 

As the master architect for the development, Pendulum was instrumental in the creation of design standards and development guidelines for the Urban Redevelopment District (URD) approved by the City of Kansas City Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Pendulum is currently working toward securing funding and approval for phase two of the development targeting high density residential , mixed-use retail and community/civic space. 

2013 EDC Cornerstone Award for Residential Building

Kansas City, Missouri 

This rooftop hospitality building is located on the uppermost floor of the Cosentino's Market parking garage at the corner of 14th and Main directly adjacent to the Jones Pool. The building program consists of four water closets, three urinals, six lavatories, a drinking fountain, and a small storage area.

The purpose of this building is to allow the City to serve patrons that desire to eat lunch or walk and enjoy the sun during the work week. During the evening hours and on weekends when the weather is favorable, wedding receptions and civic events can be hosted on the rooftop comfortable accommodating up to 600 patrons.

Although the City required a conventional "brick & mortar" delivery method, Pendulum learned valuable lessons from this project. Given the right circumstances the implementation of a prefabricated "off-grid" delivery method would allow the installation of an identical building for approximately half the budget and in half the construction time.  

Kansas City, Missouri 

The Swope South Health Clinic is a 5,000 square foot tenant improvement of an abandoned strip mall located at 87th and Troost in Kansas City, Missouri. The scope of the project included selective demolition of existing partitions, cooking equipment, and finishes that would be replaced by exam rooms, community meeting space, and administrative offices.

This project is an example of Pendulum's ability to deliver a turn-key, fast-tracked solution that included general design, interior finishes, FF&E selection and procurement, custom fabrication, and construction management. The total scope of the work was completed in just under four months.

Due to the fact that Pendulum used Building Information Modeling (BIM) as the primary document delivery method, all physical assets within the building envelope are currently being managed by Pendulum using Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM). 

Kansas City, Kansas

Bethany Medical Clinic located in Wyandotte County Kansas is a collaboration between Swope Health Systems and the Kansas University Medical Center. The intent of the facility is to serve the public while offering hands-on training for budding medical students. 

Pendulum was commissioned to transform an existing 10,000 square foot floor plate into a state of the art clinic with a refreshing and vibrant look and feel. In addition to general architectural services, Pendulum worked in the capacity of construction manager/developer, coordinating all aspects of construction and delivery from start to finish. 

Kansas City, Missouri 

East Village is a new residential/mixed-use neighborhood located at the northeast corner of the downtown loop in Kansas City, Missouri. Swope Community Builders retained Pendulum to design an urban master plan aimed at revitalizing this nine-block area currently dominated by surface parking lots. 

The $57 million East Patrol Division/Crime Lab police campus will provide modern facilities for police officers, while giving them the opportunity to better investigate crime. The goal for the design of the campus is to integrate the facilities into the surrounding neighborhood and encourage a positive identity for the KCPD.

The building and site is designed to meet KCMO best practices and a U.S. Green Building LEED Gold Rating. It will feature a police station, multi-purpose building, a state-of-the-art crime lab, and a property and evidence repository. The centralized location in the urban core at Prospect Avenue and 27th Street serves as a redevelopment catalyst for the surrounding neighborhood.

This project is in collaboration with Helix Architecture + Design Inc. 

Wausau, Wisconsin 

Athletic Park was originally constructed around 1912 and has been updated with minor renovations over the last twenty years. Pendulum was retained by the Wisconsin Woodchuck's Owner, Mark MacDonald to design the first major renovation in the parks' long history. His selection of Pendulum was based on their unique pro-forma based design approach and expertise in seating inventory, fan comfort, and revenue generating ideas. 

Phase one of the project will focus on a total reconstruction of the seating bowl behind home plate, a new street facing facade with curb appeal, and the preservation of the existing historic granite perimeter wall. In contrast to the current cramped bench seating that is riddled by line-of-sight obstructed views to the playing field surface, the new design will provide more spacious rows equipped with fixed armchair seats. Dugout club group seating will also be provided at the field level.  

Normal, Illinois 

Pendulum was commissioned to design this multi-purpose ballpark on a twenty-two acre parcel of the Heartland Community College campus. The facility is home to the Heartland baseball, softball, and soccer teams in addition to the Frontier League Normal Professional Baseball Club. The artificial turf playing field surface and removable pitching mound contributes to the multi-purpose character of the facility. Concerts, high school football, and community-oriented events are also welcomed.

The facility program includes concourse level luxury suites, 4,500 fixed armchair seats, and room for 3,000 patrons in the wrap-around grass berm. The large entry canopy behind home plate fosters the feel of a food court at the major entry node that also features an unobstructed view to the action on the playing field as patrons walk through the entry gates. 

Bakersfield, California 

In June 2013 after months, if not years of anticipation, the new Bakersfield Blaze Owners unveiled plans for a privately financed $28,000,000 ballpark that would be the first-phase centerpiece of a proposed 350,000 square-foot retail development named the Bakersfield Commons located at the intersection of Coffee and Brimhall Roads in Bakersfield, CA.  Pendulum was selected amongst formidable nationally recognized competition to lead the design efforts on the project.  Pendulum's expertise in design from an Owner/Operator's perspective with a foundation in pro-forma and revenue generating ides was the key differentiating factor.  

Green Bay, Wisconsin

When Pendulum was selected by the Bullfrogs to design the new ballpark, the first order of business was choosing a great site.  Although there were a number of sites in consideration, when we arrived at this tiny six acre brownfield parcel in downtown Green Bay, WI we knew our search was over.  The site is bordered by the Fox River to the East, a 200-foot wide river inlet to the North, and Mason Street bridge to the south.  The ballpark design focuses on "right-sizing" the facility to maximize natural site amenities including views to the Fox River and the downtown skyline from inside the ballpark.

Montreal Quebec Canada 

While many ballparks are built for the primary purpose of playing baseball, this facility incorporates technology that encourages multi-use. We embraced the natural topography of this historic site (Expo 67 Island) in a way that pays homage to the signature architecture that surrounds it. The building massing has been manipulated to preserve views across the bay in both directions without sacrificing the intended use and functionality of each component. 

The incorporation of design features that include video walls, a fully equipped sound stage, expansive pedestrian concourses with clear views to the downtown business district, breezeways at the upper levels that look back to iconic architecture, and pedestrian plazas and walking trails with lake access demands that this facility be regarded as more than just a ballpark; instead it has been designed to be an important public asset, a true community green space. 

Kansas City, Missouri 

Distend: To stretch, or extrude.  

This home incorporates sustainable design features in a very long and narrow footprint within the urban core.  With the ultimate goal of long-term economic sustainability for the home and neighborhood we worked with the existing topography of the site to incorporate (1.) exterior landscaping (lavender plants and switch grasses) that serve as a private barrier providing a pathway to the back portion of the property. (2.) At the eastern end of the site, existing oak trees that provide lush greenery and shade, promoting private natural backyard comfort.  In contrast, the modern gable at the front/street facade was chosen as a contextual statement that compliments the existing and historic topology in the neighborhood.  It was designed to extrude out beyond the primary facade to define semi-private exterior space that encourages casual visits by neighbors and conversations on our modern interpretation of the common "stoop" or "porch". 

The primary building structure consist of Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), which will provide higher effective thermal resistance. In addition, the SIP’s will provide lower air infiltration allowing the HVAC system to run more efficiently.  The height of the roof enables Skylights to provide pockets of light on the north side of the home while solar panels have been incorporated in the design to provide an alternate energy source.   The primary exterior finish will be low maintenance and will act as a rain screen capturing rainwater stored on site and pumped back into the home for future use.