Austin FC
In Collaboration with Gensler
Introduction
Innovative Design Meets Community Engagement in Austin FC’s
State-of-the-Art Training Facility
St. David’s Performance Center, located in North Austin, TX, is a cutting-edge practice facility for Austin FC, and its youth academy. The 37,500-square-foot, single-story center serves as the year-round training ground for Austin FC and its youth players, providing access to high-performance training and conditioning, nutrition and physiotherapy experts, and state-of-the-art technologies. These include advanced cardio and physio equipment, recovery rooms with cold-water plunge pools, cryotherapy machines, hyperbaric chambers, and an underwater treadmill.
In addition to being the official training facility for Austin FC, St. David’s Performance Center supports the Austin FC Academy, a training organization for youth soccer players aged 12 to 17. This building includes a locker room, weight room, training room, and classroom. The professional athletes’ training center houses soccer operations offices, team meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, a dining room, a players’ lounge, a media room, locker rooms with showers and restrooms, and conditioning, massage, health exam, and medical treatment rooms.
Located just over five miles from Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium, the performance center is part of a 23-acre sports campus privately developed by Two Oak Ventures, LLC, the parent company for Austin FC, and Karlin Real Estate.
It serves as the anchor amenity for the larger 300-acre Parmer Innovation Center, which features four full-size fields, one half-size field, and a community field with seating for 1,000 spectators. This facility is not only a hub for athletic excellence but also a reflection of Austin’s vibrant culture and commitment to community engagement. Through innovative design and meticulous planning, St. David’s Performance Center has set a new standard for athletic training facilities, embodying the spirit and ambition of Austin FC and its supporters.
Challenges
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
The development of St. David’s Performance Center encountered several key challenges that required innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. A significant challenge was designing a facility that met the high standards of professional athletes while also catering to the developmental needs of youth players. Solving this challenge required sophisticated planning to seamlessly integrate high-performance training areas, advanced medical treatment rooms, and educational spaces into a single, cohesive structure.
Managing a tight budget and an ambitious schedule posed another substantial challenge. The project needed to be completed in time for Austin FC’s inaugural MLS season, necessitating the efficient use of resources and a streamlined construction process. The constraints of the budget required cost-effective solutions without compromising the facility’s quality and functionality.
Incorporating innovative architectural features was also challenging. The design had to maintain aesthetic appeal while ensuring structural integrity and functionality. Integrating natural light, creating open spaces, and ensuring seamless indoor-outdoor transitions are not typically associated with metal building structures, adding complexity to the design process.
Another significant challenge was creating an environment that supports comprehensive athlete development. Designing advanced recovery rooms, nutrition centers, and spaces for psychological support required meticulous planning and execution.
Ensuring close collaboration between all project stakeholders, including architects, contractors, and subcontractors, was critical due to the complexity of the design. The project included multiple structures and a variety of exterior finishes, necessitating detailed coordination to achieve the desired outcome.
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