Phil Kolbo

Phil Kolbo is a soccer stadium expert, computational innovator, and principal in Populous’ Kansas City office. For over ten years, his focus at Populous has been collaborating with his clients to create bespoke facilities that challenge convention both inside and out. Leading the design of nearly $1 billion of soccer specific stadiums, he understands the business of sport, pushing innovations that have revolutionized soccer design. Phil served as the Design Lead at Geodis Park, which opened in May of 2022 and is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States. At Exploria Stadium he set a new standard when he crafted The Wall, the league’s first safe-standing supporter’s section. On Allianz Field, Phil championed the first long span PTFE membrane stadium façade in North America.

He works closely with the MLS in evaluating, interpreting and modernizing their Venue Design Standards to help protect the sanctity of the soccer experience.  As the lead for the parametric modeling and computational design group for Populous’ North America Region, his passion is creating and streamlining BIM tools unique to sport and façade design.