Architecture firm knocks the ball out of the park in expansion announcement

Fawley Bryant Architecture has added a dedicated sports division to support its growing list of sports-related clients, which now includes big players like seven MLB teams.

By Business Observer Staff
| 3:38 p.m. May 24, 2022
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Courtesy. The firm promoted Kirk Bauer, left, as the new director of sports and hired Shane Johnson as the new senior project manager to lead the team.

Manatee-Sarasota

A local architecture firm hit a home run in its most recent expansion with the announcement of a new sports division.

The Sarasota-based, full-service firm, Fawley Bryant Architecture, made the decision to launch the division to serve its growing list of sports-related clients, which now includes projects for MLB teams and IMG Academy in Bradenton. The firm has also completed more than $500 million in sports-related work since 2017, according to a statement.

Fawley Bryant Architecture has completed work now for seven MLB teams, the Professional Bull Riding Association in Colorado, master planning for IMG Academy and Binghamton University in New York. Currently, FBA is working with the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins to renovate and expand the spring training facility in Jupiter.

“Our growth in the sports and recreation market reflects our team, our skill set and our firm’s approach to partnership,” says Amanda Parrish, partner and COO at FBA. “The sports division is an internal commitment to continue focusing on this type of work. By structuring our company so we can strategically scale, we allow for dedicated staffing, a market-specific QAQC process and simplified communication channels for knowledge transfer.”

The new division will be led by Kirk Bauer as director of sports. Bauer has been with the firm for more than 10 years and led projects including the Atlanta Braves’ CoolToday Park, IMG Academy’s Gatorade Sports Science Institute, IMG's recently completed indoor basketball and tennis facility, Binghamton University’s baseball complex and the St. Louis Cardinals’ batting tunnels.

In the new position, Bauer will provide oversight for all sports projects and division-specific client relations, staff management and business development efforts. FBA also hired Shane Johnson as the new senior project manager to support Bauer, the release states.

“The trajectory FBA is on right now is exciting,” Bauer says. “I’m honored to be in this role and grateful for the opportunity to expand our ability to serve our amazing clients.”