Creating a Team-Centered Approach to Sports Facility Design

Dan Brown, senior project manager at HNTB, blends his experience as a Division I collegiate basketball player with his architectural expertise to design innovative sports and entertainment venues. He cultivates resource-efficient construction, adaptable design solutions and inclusive environments. Using a collaborative approach, Brown works to create tailored spaces for fans and athletes alike, all while mentoring the next generations of design professionals.

In what ways has your background as an athlete influenced your perspective and approach to designing sports facilities?

My background as a collegiate athlete provides me with a unique perspective when designing sports facilities. Having experienced firsthand how athletes, coaches and fans interact with these spaces, I’m able to envision the orchestration and flow of activities. This insight helps me keep the multifaceted needs of all users at the center of the process.

As an athlete, I also developed the ability to solve complex challenges and build consensus — skills that are essential in sports architecture, where the scale and complexity of projects present unique possibilities and obstacles. When designing sports facilities, my creativity comes alive when I can deliver both functional and meaningful experiences.

Tell us about your commitment to mentorship within the architecture field.

My commitment to mentorship is deeply rooted in a belief that representation matters. As one of fewer than 2,000 licensed Black male architects in the U.S., I understand the importance of using my position to advocate for underrepresented individuals in this field. I try to push my commitment beyond mentorship and actively create paths for others like me, so our field reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Through my involvement with organizations like the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), I’m dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to explore careers in architecture. One initiative I am particularly passionate about is Project Pipeline, which introduces students from underrepresented backgrounds to architecture. I believe their unique perspectives can shape the built environment and bring fresh ideas and meaningful change to the industry.

By mentoring junior architects and fostering an inclusive environment within the walls of HNTB, I aim to create a culture that values diversity, inclusion and mentorship, enabling all team members to succeed and contribute to innovative solutions.

How do you build effective collaboration with key stakeholders?

Effective collaboration starts with listening and building trust. By engaging stakeholders early in the process and maintaining consistent communication, we ensure their voices guide the project from start to finish. I focus on cultivating meaningful relationships with clients and stakeholders, where mutual understanding fosters innovative and impactful solutions.

For instance, during the USC Bloom Football Performance Center project, we worked closely with athletes, coaches and administrators to reimagine an underutilized terrace into a dynamic space supporting multiple activities. This collaboration went beyond design — it involved understanding daily routines, challenges and aspirations. By integrating these insights into the project, we created a space that truly resonated with everyone involved. Whether it’s a coach prioritizing functionality or an athlete seeking inspiration, incorporating stakeholder perspectives ensures our projects deliver lasting value.

Effective collaboration starts with listening and building trust. By engaging stakeholders early in the process and maintaining consistent communication, we ensure their voices guide the project from start to finish.

– Dan Brown
Senior Project Manager

What is essential for effective project delivery?

Effective project delivery is rooted in the ability to address complexity while keeping the overall project goals on track. By maintaining a clear understanding of the big picture, it's possible to break down larger challenges into manageable tasks and identify creative solutions that keep the project moving forward.

As architects, we often serve as conductors, orchestrating the efforts of multiple stakeholders and consultants without missing any of the intricate details. In this regard, recent advancements in visualization tools have been invaluable, allowing us to create detailed 3D models that simplify communication and foster a more efficient decision-making process. By embracing these technologies and maintaining strong collaboration, we can navigate the complexities of large-scale projects with both precision and ingenuity, achieving a successful outcome for all involved.

What does success look like for you at the end of a large, complex project?

For me, success is seeing the vision we’ve created with stakeholders come to life and have a meaningful impact on those who directly use and interact with the space. Whether it’s the first fan walking into a stadium, athletes training in a state-of-the-art facility or community members gathering in a well-designed public space, the excitement and transformation these environments bring make the hard work worthwhile.

Success is about more than just completing a project, though — it’s about crafting spaces that inspire, connect and enhance the experiences of everyone who relies on them. It’s in the energy of the crowd, the satisfaction of athletes in spaces tailored to their needs and the pride of those who trusted us to deliver the extraordinary.

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