Archbishop Riordan High School, a distinguished institution for boys situated in San Francisco, is dedicated to delivering an exceptional educational experience alongside a robust athletic program. In pursuit of enhancing their sports offerings, the School’s administration and athletic department engaged Verde Design to provide expert services aimed at assessing and formulating a comprehensive master plan for the improvement of their current sports facilities. The project site is strategically located in a densely populated area, directly across from San Francisco City College, and is bordered by a parking lot and residential neighborhoods.
The design team from Verde Design convened with School representatives to thoroughly assess the requirements for an upgraded facility. A significant challenge in crafting the master plan was to effectively integrate all desired program components within the constraints of the existing site. The designers conducted a detailed analysis of the current facilities to identify which elements were functioning well, while also proposing modifications and relocations to enhance the efficiency of play and optimize the space designated for various sports activities.
In collaboration with the School’s project team, our design team clarified the objectives of the project, distinguishing between essential program elements and those that were merely desirable. During a digital design charrette, we presented visual concepts for the staff’s review and feedback. This interactive process allowed us to address their comments and concerns, explore alternative solutions, and elucidate the trade-offs involved with each option, ultimately leading to the development of a preferred design. These collaborative discussions fostered an environment conducive to successfully establishing a master plan for future facility enhancements.
The scope of the project encompasses the construction of a new all-weather track suitable for hosting invitational meets, a synthetic turf field designed for football, soccer, and lacrosse, a baseball field integrated within the track, and a grandstand that features underground storage and locker room facilities.
