The executive architect for the stadium -- dubbed PETCO Park -- was HOK Sport, and the design architect was Antoine Predock. “The new ballpark for San Diego and the San Diego Padres is a landmark for downtown and the city of San Diego,†said Predock. “[It] serves as a civic meeting place and a focus for the future development of downtown. The ballpark completes the connection between Balboa Park and the bay, acting as a grand terminus on the park-to-bay link.â€
From the very beginning, Predock wanted the ballpark to provide an environment where visitors could enjoy the outdoors at all times. “Taking full advantage of the San Diego climate, the new ballpark is most aptly described as a 'garden' that weaves in and out of every aspect of the design, from the concession stands to outdoor view terraces, from the seating bowl to the main concourse,†said Predock. “Traditionally, ballparks consisted of the seating bowl and a large facade that wrapped the perimeter of the concourse. However, the design of the new ballpark has displaced the programmatic content, such as office space, concessions and lounges, away from the back of the bowl, creating an interstitial exterior space for the concourses to carve through with bridges connecting the two sides. As one circulates horizontally along the concourses, there is a reciprocal movement from a canyon-like space to peel away to open views beyond.â€