Daily Digs: Albanian Stadium Set for Renovation, High School's New Ballpark, and More!

OMA/David Gianotten, has won the competition to revitalize the historic Selman Stërmasi Stadium and its surrounding area in central Tirana, Albania. Originally built in 1956, the stadium is now being redesigned to not only expand the existing football grounds but also to foster stronger links between surrounding neighborhoods in Tirana. With the revitalization, the stadium aims to be a key connector between the Blloku and Komune a Parisit neighborhoods.

The design expands the existing football park into a dynamic, mixed-use development that blends new architecture with generous public spaces. Inspired by Albania's mountainous terrain, the project introduces a layered composition of buildings and landscapes that form a contemporary civic destination. [ArchDaily]

The Taj Mahal of Ventura County ballparks has been built on the campus of Fillmore High School.

Booty Sanchez Varsity Baseball Field’s towering support beams, painted bright Fillmore blue, are visible from blocks away. Manicured grass stretches out 365 feet from home plate to the center-field fence, while the carefully raked infield dirt looks almost like carpet. 

Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle recognizes that visiting teams — and even locals — might be surprised when they park their car at Fillmore High and lay eyes on the new stadium. [VC Star]

The Des Moines City Council on Monday voted to approve changes to the Merle Hay Mall hockey arena project.

In 2021 the mall and the Des Moines Buccaneers announced a multi-million-dollar project to build a 3,500-seat ice hockey arena that leaders hoped would rejuvenate the surrounding area. But in July, roughly two years after the project broke ground, the Buccaneers pulled out of the project citing its cost and contractual issues. [NBC13]