Step inside the world where architecture meets adrenaline, and every seat builds a memory. 

In this lively interview, Jessica Wimmer, LS3P’s Higher Education Marketing Manager, sits down with three of the firm’s designers, Mike Martinez, Laura Miller, and Brian Tiede, whose work is helping to shape the future of athletic spaces across campuses and communities.

Whether you’re a sports fan, a design enthusiast, or just curious about what makes these spaces so special, this conversation will inspire you to see stadiums in a whole new light. Get ready to meet the minds behind the magic—and find out what it really means to design for legacy, pride, and unforgettable moments.

JW: Thank you all for being here today, and I know we are so excited to hear what drives your passion for Athletic Design. Let’s kick things off with that very topic. What is it that draws you to designing these kinds of spaces? What keeps you coming back to athletic architecture?

MM: It’s the energy from the roar. That moment when the crowd erupts, when everyone’s on their feet, cheering in unison, it’s electric. That sound, that shared emotion, it’s what gives me the juice. I remember the first time I felt it, and I thought, “Yeah, I want to be part of this.” Designing these spaces lets me contribute to that feeling and I love knowing I helped create the backdrop for those memories.

LM: I love that, Mike. For me, it’s really about the people. When I walk through a stadium and see fans laughing, kids high-fiving players, families making memories, that’s what drives me. I want to design places that feel welcoming and meaningful for everyone, not just the athletes.

BT: Yeah, I’m with both of you. For me, it’s the emotional weight these spaces carry. Sports are such a shared experience, whether it’s your first game as a kid or a championship moment with your family, those memories stick. And knowing that something I helped design becomes part of their story.  Now, that’s powerful.

JW:  How do you define the legacy of athletic architecture in shaping community identity?

MM: For me, legacy in athletic architecture is about the moments that become etched into memory. The roar of the crowd after a game-winning touchdown, the heartbreak of a near miss, the traditions that fans pass down through generations. These spaces become the backdrop for those stories.

LM:  And to build on that, what’s so powerful is how these spaces bring people from all walks of life into one shared experience. Inside a stadium, it doesn’t matter what’s happening outside—politics, personal differences, whatever. You’re all cheering for the same team, feeling the same highs and lows. That kind of unity is rare, and it’s something athletic spaces uniquely foster. They become places where community identity is not just reflected, but actively created.

BT: Absolutely. That shared experience—whether it’s a college rivalry or a professional championship—becomes part of the community’s DNA. And as designers, we’re not just building facilities; we’re building the stage for those moments to unfold.

JW: That’s beautifully said. So how do you balance aesthetic design with the functional demands of these spaces?

BT: It’s a dance, honestly. You’ve got to meet the functional needs—locker rooms, training spaces, media zones, but you also have to create something that stirs emotion. The back-of-house has to work like a machine, but the front-of-house? That’s where you create the magic. You want fans to walk in and feel awe, pride, excitement. And that means designing with intention, with storytelling in mind.

MM: I agree. It’s not about choosing between function and beauty, it’s about making them work together. From the moment someone steps into the venue, every detail should contribute to the atmosphere. Even something as simple as how a fan gets a drink or finds their seat can shape their memory of the event.

LM: And sometimes, it’s about elevating what’s already there. At ECU, we replaced what people jokingly called the “trailer in the sky”, their old press box, with a facility that finally matched the caliber of their program. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about giving the community a space that reflected their pride and passion.

JW: What do you hope people feel when they walk into the spaces you’ve designed?

LM: I hope students feel seen—not just as athletes, but as whole people. And I hope fans feel appreciated, like the space was designed with them in mind. It’s about creating an environment that supports everyone who walks through the doors.

BT: I want the crowd to feel excitement, anticipation, joy. Whether it’s a game, a concert, or a family outing, I want them to know they’re about to make a memory. That’s what it’s all about.

MM: And I want to create a sense of pride. A place that feels like home for the home team and intimidating for the visitors. But more than anything, I want people to feel like they’re part of something bigger, a legacy, a tradition, a story that continues with every game.

JW: Speaking of legacy, what does that word mean to you in this context?

MM: Legacy is about honoring the past while creating space for the future. At Clemson, we created a Family Plaza during Tiger Walk so players could find their loved ones in the crowd. That wasn’t just a design feature, it became a new tradition. That’s legacy.

LM: I love that. For me, legacy is about recognizing everyone who contributes, not just the star athletes, but the coaches, the donors, the families. The building should reflect all of that. It’s about telling a story that includes everyone.

BT: Legacy is the soul of the space and the story it tells should endure. It’s about embedding meaning into the architecture, through graphics, layout, materials, so that every visitor feels the weight of history and the promise of what’s to come.

JW: Wow, thank you all so much for your time today. I’ve genuinely been inspired by the passion each of you bring to these spaces and really appreciated hearing your perspectives and personal stories today. This has been such a valuable conversation, and I truly believe that when talent meets passion, great things are bound to happen. Thank you all!