A great stadium experience begins long before the first pitch or kickoff. From the moment fans arrive, every element, from finding a parking space to locating their seats, concessions or amenities, shapes their gameday experience. Experiential graphic design (EGD) plays an important role in making that journey intuitive and memorable. At Cooper Carry, EGD connects people to place, reinforcing team identity and bringing the energy of the game into the built environment. Three recent Cooper Carry projects demonstrate how: CarMax Park in Richmond, Virginia, Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Greater Nevada Field in Reno. For a first-time visitor, navigating a new venue can sometimes be overwhelming. Wayfinding plays a crucial role in the feasibility of a fan’s journey through large crowds, multiple concourses and unfamiliar seating sections. Clear, intentional signage creates a seamless experience. Kevin Kern, Associate Principal, Cooper Carry Intuitive Wayfinding At CarMax Park and Centreville Bank Stadium, our EGD studio developed comprehensive wayfinding systems that guide fans from exterior arrival points through the concourses and into the seating bowl. Sections, concessions and other amenities are clearly identified using a hierarchy of information that allows fans to quickly understand where they are and where they need to go. Stadiums also require a unique approach to scale, and graphics must remain highly visible above crowds and maintain the energy of a game-day environment. Durable attachment details and materials account for heavy foot traffic and durability in a variety of weather conditions. These considerations ensure that wayfinding remains effective throughout the fan journey. “Fans flock to stadiums and arenas for an experience. The role of graphics is to reinforce that energy cohesively throughout the venue. With EGD, we have a unique opportunity to translate a feeling visually, which can really add to the atmosphere of a place that breeds camaraderie through sportsmanship. ” Kevin Kern, Associate Principal, Cooper Carry Energizing the Fan Experience At CarMax Park, the EGD program responds to both the architecture of the ballpark and Richmond’s industrial character. Flanges, I-beams and oversized bolts became visual cues throughout the design, while team colors reinforce the identity of the Flying Squirrels. Photo murals and graphics extend that energy into club-level, back-of-house and locker room spaces, creating opportunities to celebrate the team throughout the venue. The Reno Aces stadium takes the experiential approach through large-scale graphics that enhance the team brand and sense of place. These elements transform circulation spaces into memorable moments that build excitement and create opportunities for fan engagement. Integrated Sponsorship Design Sponsorship is an important component of the stadium environment, and thoughtful design can integrate these partnerships into the broader visual identity of the venue. At CarMax Park, a CareScout-sponsored “Power Tower” demonstrates this approach. Rather than simply displaying a sponsor’s name, Cooper Carry incorporated the brand’s logo and colors into a custom pattern, creating a cohesive visual element that responds to the surrounding architecture. The result is a highly distinctive feature of the venue that is also fully functional, operating as both a vertical LED display on one side and an accessibility elevator on the other. This approach provides sponsors with strong visibility while contributing to the overall character of the ballpark. Lighting, materials, color and graphic treatments can work together to create sponsorship moments that feel intentional and connected to the larger design. Connection Through Place When implemented strategically, successful graphics feel like part of the built environment, guiding fans, building excitement and strengthening connections to the stadium, team and community.

Three lessons for developers adding action sports to the mixed-use mix Across the country, action sports and entertainment attractions, from surf parks and climbing facilities to golf experiences and adventure venues, are emerging as anchors for mixed-use destinations. These experiences attract visitors, create memorable moments and give people new reasons to gather. But as developers embrace this trend, the question becomes less about whether to include an entertainment component and more about how to make it successful. Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach offers an example of what that looks like. Centered around North America’s first Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon, the mixed-use destination combines surfing, residences, retail, restaurants, office space and a flexible live entertainment venue. While the surf park is its signature attraction, the project’s greatest strength is how it reconnects people not just to recreation, but to the surrounding community. For Cooper Carry, that reflects a larger design principle: creating meaningful connections to place. As mixed-use destinations continue to evolve, Atlantic Park reinforces three important lessons for developers considering action sports as part of the mix. 1. Know Your Customer An exciting attraction doesn’t automatically translate into a successful mixed-use environment. “The first question I ask is, ‘Do you know who your customers are?'” says Daniel Sweeney, Principal at Cooper Carry. “These entertainment and sports attractions don’t necessarily mean cross-shopping, so you need to understand whether the different user groups actually align.” A regional attraction like a surf park may draw visitors from hours away who spend most of their time surfing before heading home. Local residents, on the other hand, may visit for restaurants, concerts or everyday amenities. Understanding those behaviors early helps shape everything from programming and leasing strategy to circulation and public spaces. Rather than assuming one attraction serves every audience equally, successful destinations recognize that different users interact with a place in different ways. 2. Curate the Right Mix of Uses Defining target customers provides the foundation for curating a complementary mix of uses, recognizing that while entertainment may drive initial visits, the broader experience determines if they stay. At Atlantic Park, the surf lagoon is complemented by restaurants, retail, multifamily housing, office space and The Dome, a modern entertainment venue, creating activity throughout the day and across seasons. That intentional mix is already translating into strong leasing momentum. Completed in August 2025, Atlantic Park’s retail district includes more than 91,000 square feet of retail space, with 84% leased and 78% already open as of July 2026. Four additional tenants are expected to open in early 2027. The tenant mix has been carefully curated, with restaurants making up more than half of the retail offerings. “The way to encourage visitors to stay longer is by giving them more reasons to explore. Build a food and beverage program with a range of offerings so people don’t simply come for the attraction; they spend time experiencing everything around it.” Daniel Sweeney The multifamily component was designed with the same customer-first mindset. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all product, the community features 40 floor plans across studio, one-, 1.5-, two- and three-bedroom layouts to appeal to everyone from young professionals and families to second-home buyers. The variation helps create a resident base that supports restaurants, retail and entertainment throughout the week, not just on peak event days. As of July 2026, the community is 76% leased, with 65% of units occupied, underscoring the demand for living in a destination where dining, recreation and everyday conveniences are all within walking distance. The goal isn’t to surround an attraction with supporting uses. It’s to create a destination where each component strengthens the others, generating energy that extends well beyond the main event. 3. Connection to Place Connection to place begins with understanding the people and neighborhoods a project is designed to serve. For Atlantic Park, that meant more than introducing a new destination. The project reconnects Virginia Beach’s creative ViBe District with the oceanfront after decades of separation created by expansive parking lots. Curving pedestrian paths, architecture inspired by waves and locally rooted design references help the development feel distinctly Virginia Beach rather than a destination that could exist anywhere. That mindset also shaped The Dome, which functions as more than a concert venue. In addition to performances, it has become a gathering place for graduations, community events and local celebrations, extending its value far beyond entertainment. As action sports destinations continue to gain momentum, the most successful projects won’t simply add another attraction. They’ll create authentic places where recreation, community and everyday life intersect. Note: Cooper Carry served as Architect of Record and collaborated with Hanbury, who also acted as Design Architect along with Cooper Carry and Gensler, on the Northwest Block and North Block Mixed-use as well as the Venue. Hanbury provided full Design Architect and Architect of Record services on the project’s WaveGarden and Beach.

Creating Spaces for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities The Search for a Place to Belong For many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the transition into adulthood comes with a difficult reality: limited options for independent living, social connection and long-term support. Across the country, families are searching for environments where their loved ones can not only live safely, but thrive as active, valued members of a community. “Design has an important role to play in creating these much-needed spaces,” said Alanna Conner, Senior Associate at Cooper Carry. “At Cooper Carry, we believe the built environment should foster meaningful connections between people.” Amber Grace Community at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, embodies that philosophy. Designed as a supportive residential community for adults with IDD, Amber Grace demonstrates how thoughtful design can cultivate independence, encourage social interaction, and, most importantly, create a true sense of belonging. Image captions Moving Beyond Institutional Models Amber Grace is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by David and Debbie Turner, who are parents of their adult daughter with Down Syndrome. They founded the Amber Grace Community at Georgia’s Berry College after recognizing the urgent need for post-secondary school programs and services for adults with intellectual disabilities that offer a sense of belonging and agency, as well as allow them to be contributors to their community. Cooper Carry was tapped to provide architecture, interior design and experiential graphic design services for the community, working alongside program manager Gleeds America and Choate Construction to realize the vision for Amber Grace. Historically, residential environments for individuals with IDD have often prioritized operational efficiency over experiences, resulting in settings that can feel isolating. Yet research shows that autonomy and community engagement are essential to overall well-being. “The challenge for us as designers is to create environments that provide appropriate support while preserving dignity and independence,” said Kyle Harris, Associate at Cooper Carry. “At Amber Grace, every design decision was guided by this balance.” Situated on a 10-acre site on Berry College’s campus, the master-planned community was intentionally conceived as a neighborhood rather than a facility. Eight residential homes accommodating up to 48 residents are organized around a village green, creating a walkable environment where residents can move independently while remaining safe and connected to the larger community. This neighborhood framework reinforces an important idea: residents are not simply occupants of a building; they are neighbors. Overhead aerial view of the pool and spa area at Amber Grace Community at Berry College, showing lounge seating, umbrellas, and adjacent building rooftop Click to enlarge media. Click to enlarge media. Timber-framed entry pavilion with stone piers and pendant chandelier along a walkway at Amber Grace Community at Berry College Click to enlarge media. Classroom at Amber Grace Community at Berry College with staff and residents in a group presentation session beneath pendant lighting Click to enlarge media. On-site staff workspace at Amber Grace Community at Berry College, featuring open desks, workstations, and collaborative seating areas Click to enlarge media. On-site health care exam room at Amber Grace Community at Berry College, with exam table, seating, and windows overlooking resident homes Click to enlarge media. Faith Journey room signage with candle icon and braille lettering at Amber Grace Community at Berry College Click to enlarge media. Fitness center at Amber Grace Community at Berry College with treadmills, elliptical, rowing machines, and large windows overlooking resident homes Click to enlarge media. Connection Through People Belonging rarely happens by accident. It is often the result of environments that encourage spontaneous interaction and shared experiences between people. It is also a fundamental need, occupying the third tier of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At Amber Grace, the village green serves as the heart of the community, providing a central gathering space for dining, recreation, learning and social engagement. A network of pedestrian pathways and shared courtyards connects the residences, creating opportunities for casual encounters throughout the day. These interstitial spaces are often where relationships begin. By intentionally designing these moments into the community, Amber Grace supports the development of lifelong social bonds among residents. Amber Grace is also anchored by the community center, which is intended to feel like a bustling hub of energy and learning. The center reinforces this sense of belonging by offering spaces for art classes, wellness activities, vocational learning, healthcare services and events that bring the community together. Independence Through Thoughtful Design Designing for adults with IDD requires a deep understanding of both universal human needs and the unique ways individuals experience their environment. Within each residence, private apartments and bedrooms provide residents with personal space and autonomy, while shared living areas encourage family-style interaction. Interior environments feature calming materials, soft textures and muted palettes selected to create sensory-appropriate spaces that feel restorative and welcoming. Equally important was designing an environment that provides safety without sacrificing independence. Clear sightlines, intuitive circulation and thoughtfully organized shared spaces enable families and caregivers to provide guidance while allowing residents the freedom to navigate their daily routines with confidence. The result is an environment where individuals can age in place, develop life skills and build lasting relationships within a setting designed to evolve alongside them. Designing a Future of Belonging As the demand for supportive housing continues to grow, communities like Amber Grace offer an important model for the future. “Design alone cannot solve every challenge facing adults with IDD. But it can create the framework for something fundamental: belonging,” adds Conner. “When architects design environments that prioritize connection and agency, they create more than buildings. They create communities where every individual has the opportunity to live abundantly, contribute meaningfully and feel truly at home.” To see additional student housing projects Cooper Carry has designed, click here.