Homefield Kansas City

Kansas City, United States

Opened in 2024
Architecture, Brand Activation

Homefield Kansas City was designed to redefine the standard for youth athletic centers, bridging the gap between community recreation spaces and professional-level facilities.

Disciplines
- Architecture
- Brand Activation
Collections
- Recreation Facilities

Situated in the heart of Kansas City, this $60 million facility provides an elevated training and competition environment while serving as a hub for athletes, families and the community.

The project’s vision was clear: create a space that supports athletic excellence while fostering a sense of community. With a unique balance of gritty, edgy elements and warm, inviting touches, Homefield Kansas City reimagines what a youth athletic center can be—a destination that empowers athletes, engages parents and enriches the local community.

Our design approach focused on creating a facility that blends function and inspiration. The building welcomes visitors with a striking, backlit perforated metal curtain wall that sets the tone for the experience within. Inside, an airy lobby flooded with natural light showcases vibrant graphics and a wood-slat ceiling, creating a space that is both energetic and welcoming. A bold entry tunnel labeled “Athletes Only” immediately immerses athletes in an environment designed for focus and competition.

The design thoughtfully incorporates spaces tailored to the diverse needs of its users. The Learning Stair, for instance, is more than a functional architectural element; it’s a multi-use centerpiece that encourages team gatherings, coaching sessions and presentations. Its dynamic form, paired with a muraled backdrop, transforms it into a landmark within the facility where connection and inspiration naturally converge.

The Athletes’ Lounge offers a cool, exclusive retreat for players, with its stark black-and-white aesthetic and industrial mesh elements creating an edgy yet inviting atmosphere. In contrast, the Division 1 Lounge provides parents and VIPs with a more subdued and premium experience. This space, with its darker tones and refined furnishings, strikes a balance between luxury and comfort, offering a quiet reprieve overlooking the action.

For spectators, tiered seating areas are strategically designed to provide optimal sightlines and comfort. These spaces ensure that families can fully engage with the events on the courts, fostering a sense of inclusivity and connection. The courts themselves feature navy, red and white as key colors, weaving together court markings, wayfinding elements and overhead beams into a cohesive visual language. This thoughtful integration creates a sense of unity and energy throughout the facility. By blending bold, competitive elements with warm, inviting touches, the facility captures the duality of its purpose: to inspire young athletes while embracing their community.

Homefield Kansas City has quickly become a cornerstone for the local community. By integrating spaces for athletes, families and community events, the facility has exceeded expectations, selling out tournaments before its official opening and earning national press coverage.

Designed with scalability in mind, Homefield Kansas City serves as a prototype for future facilities, offering a model that can be adapted to other communities while maintaining a connection to local culture. For Kansas City, it’s more than just a sports complex; it’s a place where young athletes can dream big, families can connect and the community can thrive.

Disciplines Provided at Homefield

Architecture
Architecture

The architectural design of Homefield Kansas City reimagines a pre-engineered metal building, transforming it into a dynamic sports destination that feels both premium and approachable. The exterior features dark metal panels that establish a bold, modern presence while signaling the facility’s purpose. This sleek, minimalist aesthetic extends inside, where the design prioritizes functionality, spatial clarity and an elevated user experience.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a two-story lobby with expansive glass walls that flood the space with natural light. The lobby’s wood-slat ceiling and colorful graphics create a welcoming and energetic atmosphere, while the backlit perforated metal curtain wall at the entry sets an impactful tone. A central “Learning Stair” serves as both a visual focal point and a versatile gathering space for athletes and teams, blending practicality with design excellence.

The “hype tunnel”, a signature architectural element, offers youth athletes an immersive and inspiring entry into their training spaces. Its compressed form, paired with color-changing LED lights and faceted metal panels, evokes a sense of focus and anticipation. The contrast between gritty, athlete-centric areas and lighter, more open spaces for parents and spectators reflects a deliberate design strategy to balance privacy with community connection.

Each court configuration, from navy-blue basketball courts to red volleyball layouts, is framed by thoughtful wayfinding elements that unify the space. Red and blue beams overhead create visual continuity, while strategically chosen materials and colors fill the facility with a sense of vibrancy and energy. The result is an environment that elevates the experience for all users, from athletes to families.
Disciplines Provided at Homefield

↳ Architecture
Brand Activation
Brand Activation

The branding strategy at Homefield Kansas City seamlessly integrates design with storytelling, creating a space that celebrates both athletic achievement and local culture. Every element, from the graphics to the wayfinding, contributes to a cohesive narrative that inspires athletes and engages the community.

Environmental graphics blend Olympic-inspired visuals with photography of local street sports, grounding the facility in Kansas City’s heritage. These images, paired with vibrant murals and bold typographic elements, infuse the space with energy and personality. The “Pathway to the Pros” messaging runs throughout the facility, reinforcing aspirations for young athletes and tying the space to broader goals of athletic excellence.

The “hype tunnel” is a standout feature in the branding approach, designed to evoke excitement and exclusivity for athletes. Its dramatic lighting and “Athletes Only” signage underscore the importance of focus and determination. The Learning Stair, adorned with a graphic mural and painted wooden risers, serves as both a functional space, gathering point for families and a photo backdrop, further tying branding into the architectural experience.

Wayfinding and court markings are carefully designed to complement the facility’s visual identity. The seamless integration of color—from court lines to overhead beams—enhances a sense of unity and clarity throughout the space while providing flexibility for various court configurations. Even the seating areas reflect the branding ethos, with distinct zones for public and private use that highlight the versatility of the Homefield system.

This intentional branding approach elevates Homefield Kansas City beyond a traditional sports facility, making it a space where athletes, families and the community can connect, compete and celebrate.
Disciplines Provided at Homefield

↳ Brand Activation

2025
- Merit Award for Immersive Environmental Storytelling, SEGD Awards
- Finalist for Environmental Art, American Institute of Graphic Arts – Kansas City Chapter