Charleston Tennis LLC
Credit One Stadium
The design team was challenged to transform an aging stadium into a world-class venue that elevates the experiences of athletes, performers, and patrons alike. Home to the largest women-only tennis tournament in North America and one of the largest concert venues in the area, the stadium required design solutions to accommodate diverse users. Amenity spaces needed to compete with those of the Grand Slam tournaments around the world in order to draw in top competitors year after year. Support spaces needed to be versatile to transition from a media broadcast to a full-scale concert. The team needed to consider how each space would be used and curate an aesthetic that could evolve from day to night; bright, airy environments are favorable for day tennis, shifting to a subdued aesthetic which is keenly focused on center court by night. Finishes and fixtures needed to be durable enough for large events, yet elegant enough to create an intimate escape.
LOCATION: Charleston, SC
SIZE: 167,000 SF
COMPLETED: 2022
ARCHITECT OF RECORD: ROSSETTI
Drawing Inspiration
With the venue serving foremost as a tennis stadium, the design team drew inspiration from the abstraction of a tennis ball. A circular motif is subtly woven into every space through arches, light fixtures, tile patterns, and wall textures. Utilizing a restrained color palette, the various program areas are defined by aesthetic changes in the texture and pattern of materials, furnishings, and custom art installations. The design also introduces an innovative flooring type called polished tabby – a terrazzo-like concrete flooring that incorporates local oyster shells.
Design Details
Inspired by Charleston’s iconic gardens, the Club Level features framed views of Spanish moss and a verdant tree canopy. Drawing connections between the interior and the landscape, green accents adorn the space from floor to ceiling; rich green walls are met by pale green tiles and acoustic moss installations. The Player’s Lounge provides a place of respite for athletes and coaches. Here, they can connect with the Lowcountry landscape with treehouse-like views. A soft color palette and sound-absorbing materials provide an additional level of tranquility. Private suites are framed by custom wood slat ceilings and wall features that glow with warm light in the evening. A large, central island creates a gathering hub for patrons. Accordion glass doors open the suite to the stadium below, creating a premier viewing platform and sound control for any event.
Awards
2022 AIA Charleston Merit Award – Interior Architecture | 2023 IIDA Carolinas DesignWorks Best in Show Winner; Design Detail Winner | 2023 AIA SC Interiors Honor Award
