From the start, our design team acknowledged the rich history of the Delano neighborhood, which rose from the prairie at the end of the 19th century.
Those were times of drastic change from rough wooden structures and saloons to permanent brick buildings, new businesses, and innovation. Wichita was evolving from its Cowtown roots into a 20th century Air Capital City. The design team honored this transformation by creating a cohesive pallet of historically influenced materials such as brick, corrugated copper, and aluminum panels, and applying them throughout the Riverfront Stadium development. As a result, it is successfully anchored to the site and its architecture provides an important sense of place that is distinctly Wichita.
The finished product has received national attention. More information about the stadium can be found here.
Looking for a recreational project that is unique to the area and captures the needs of the client as well as the wants of future patrons? Schaefer Architecture is dedicated to listening, adjusting and producing work that will serve the community for years to come.
Riverfront Stadium is part of a walkable urban development, designed to be fully experienced, by pedestrians, on all sides. Early in the planning effort, Schaefer Architecture’s design team worked to assure a humanely scaled building that respects its neighborhood. By cladding much of the façade in traditional masonry, creating a rhythm of pilasters, and embellishing it with stonework and timeless detailing, the designers were able to create an approachable and familiar building that welcomes visitors in.
Stadium design is often shaped by the steel framing that supports its seating, suites, and press boxes. Schaefer Architecture’s design team took full advantage of these functional elements to create an iconic vocabulary recalling the railroad trestles and bridges that spanned the Arkansas River early in the life of the Wichita community. From the dynamic river entrance pavilion to the soaring ballfield lighting towers, black steel framing was intentionally shaped to leave an impression on fans, citizens, and even those simply driving by the stadium.
