Michael R. Carlson, Architect

Project Descriptions below

The team of Carlson Studio Architecture & PRA had the opportunity to share and create a unified vision for all future interior spaces at the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. The Design Guidelines are a written and illustrated guide suitable to be used for future interior remodeling and renovations inside Tropicana Field. In its original form, it is a full color, 11×17 document, landscape formatted. The electronic format was original created using In Design software. The Guidelines are intended to articulate an attainable an impactful vision for future renovations within the Tropicana Fields environment, and NOT be based on arbitrary ideals where the result may be costly, impractical, or difficult to achieve. Four main elements are addressed by the Guidelines, including: Color, Lighting, Floor & Wall Materials, and Furniture Recommendations for these elements are put forward for areas within Tropicana Field:

• Corporate Office Space
• Enclosed Offices
• Open Work Areas
• Common Areas and Corridors
• Break Rooms
• Conference Rooms & Meeting Space
• Restrooms
• Stadium Experience
• Corridors & Concourses
• Food Courts
• Fan Experience & Retail Alcoves
• Suites
• Clubs & Specialty Areas
• General Fan

Interior Build-Out
1,400 Lineal Feet
This project is a redesign of the finishes and entry experience in the corridor along the existing suites at the Tampa Bay Rays’ Stadium located in St. Petersburg, FL. Carlson Studio Architecture + PRA used this implementation of a Community Impact Engagement theme to replace the existing non-existent theme along the corridor. CAD floor plans were created of the existing corridor that serves the existing suites. Work included a creative direction to implement a showcasing of the Rays’ involvement in the community and to portray this concept along the corridor and at the entry doors to the existing suites. The area represents approximately 1,400 lineal feet of corridor. Detailed wall finishes, colors, patterns, and materials applied to the existing corridor walls, and associated accent lighting were selected. Interior elevations and details of the two primary corridor walls (walls on each side of the corridor) were created. As well as 3 interior color renderings of typical design conditions and suite entry signage recommendations. Finally, recommendations for incorporating design features in entry lobby area and adjacent to main corridor were designed.

Renovation
11,000 SF
The renovation of the batter’s eye restaurant and its conversion into a party deck is known as the Patio Party Deck at the Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball stadium. The Patio Party Deck’s location promises to be a landmark, a destination where fans gather for an elevated experience before, during, and after the baseball game. This fan destination is reached by a continuous loop around the entire lower seating bowl of Tropicana Field. Its theme combines the experience of a “boardwalk”, notably the original S. Petersburg Pier built of wood in 1889, and the image of the “walk-off” home run, indelibly etched in the psyche of every Tampa Bay Rays fan since Game 162 of the 2011 Season. Together the history of St. Petersburg and the excitement the Rays have brought to this city will come to life in the Rays Walk Off Porch. Based on the redesign of the Batter’s Eye restaurant by Populous, Carlson Studio Architecture and PRA studied how to implement their already developed Interior Design Guidelines into this proposed design. The area of work included the existing Batter’s Eye restaurant area and the existing Captain Morgan Party Deck, both the upper and lower levels, as modified by the designs created by Populous. This area is approximately 11,000 SF. Specifications and illustrations as well as 3 SketchUp style color 3-D renderings of the space were provided to the client.
Goals and Values achieved by the Patio Party Deck include:

• Accessibility and Openness for Everyone
• Engagement and Fan Pride
• Edgy and Bold
• Implement Rays Brand Traits
• Unify the Stadium with Baseline Consistency
• Lead Fans to Destinations, Make it Easier to Get Around

Interior Build-Out
10,000 SF
The team of Carlson Studio Architecture & PRA redesigning the existing 10,000 SF 2nd Floor Sales Offices for the Tampa Bay Rays. These offices house Information Technology, Human Resources, and the very important Ticket Sales Department. The Rays requested that the design be creative and dynamic yet minimally disruptive and compatible with a quick construction schedule. Working within the existing rated enclosure, the new layout efficiently aligns enclosed offices on either side of an open office environment, affording daylight to all. A new conferencing area called the Collaboration Burst incorporates formal and informal meeting space near an interactive dining area called the Rays Cafe. At the hinge point and joining the departments together, the Rays Think Tank is an interactive conference room with smart boards, video conferencing, and display space. It’s full height adjacent glass walls fully retract to accommodate large group presentations and gatherings.

Interior Build-Out
30,000 SF
The team of Carlson Studio Architecture & PRA redesigned the existing 30,000 SF 4th Floor Offices of the Tampa Bay Rays. Comprised of multiple departments including Corporate Partnerships, Fan Experience and Marketing, Development, Public Relations, Baseball Operations, Stadium Operations and Finance, the existing 4th Floor Offices present a rambling double loaded corridor with little opportunity for staff to enjoy daylight, field views or interaction. Removing about half of the private offices, a new layout reinvents the office environment by opening large apertures of natural light and allowing field views in the thin floor plate, encouraging cross-pollination among departments within a great variety of teaming environments. Three key areas of collaboration inject life into the curving pathway, where staff can be “energized through the magic of baseball.” Bold and daring, yet professional and crisp, these interactive zones include three Rays Cafes, multiple meeting space configurations and large gathering opportunities.