Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

The spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick consists of an 11,000-seat ballpark, 18 practice fields, two clubhouses, covered batting cages and administrative offices. Situated on 144 acres, it is the first such facility to be both LEED Gold-certified and located on tribal land.

Native American cultural values and characteristics provided design inspiration. Orientation of buildings harkens to the concept of traditional Huhugam dwellings, with interconnecting elements radiating outward from a centrally located main ballpark. The architecture reinforces the natural color palette and forms found in the community. Subtle layers of earthen colors were chosen to represent rocks found at the convergence of the Salt River, and many of the venue’s raw materials were actually excavated on tribal land. Use of team colors and branding was limited to the clubhouse and practice areas. The main canopy is a modern interpretation of the traditional ramada shade structure, with more than 80 percent of all seats shaded during games.

Sustainable elements include passive water harvesting via desert arroyos and an onsite retention pond, as well as a displacement ventilation system that forces air conditioning only in the occupied spaces.