Los Angeles native Scott Hunter has lived and worked around the world, but in 2006 he made his way back to LA. He is now helping steward the 298-acre sports and entertainment district in Inglewood that will be home to the Los Angeles Rams’ $2.6B City of Champions stadium. Hunter described his passion for architecture, and Los Angeles, to CSQ: “It sounds like a cliché, but there is something magical about Los Angeles, about the vision of life you can have here and still feel connected to a global center of creativity.”
CSQ What keeps you inspired as an architect?
Scott Hunter I’ve been an architect for over 25 years. It’s my dream profession and it allows me to meet a diverse group of people who want to make a mark on the world. Architecture blends many things that I’m passionate about and also captures the essence of how we live together as a society by blending culture, art, and science.
CSQ Describe a few projects in your portfolio.
SH I run the LA office of HKS where I consider myself the conductor of a symphony of talent. Our projects include a wide array of mixed-use spaces such as the USC Cancer Center, a large U.S. Navy Hospital at Camp Pendleton which was part of the American Recovery Act, the Westfield UTC lifestyle center in La Jolla, the West Coast launch of Ian Schrager’s Edition Hotel brand, and hotels currently in design for Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach, and downtown Los Angeles.
HKS’ Sports & Entertainment portfolio includes Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
CSQ What aspects of the new NFL Rams project excite you the most?
SH I’m incredibly excited by the opportunity to help create something that has never been done before – the most innovative stadium in the world. I’m inspired by the challenge and complexity of designing a space, in a responsible way, that is worthy of LA – the world’s greatest center of creativity and most
sophisticated fan market.
CSQ How was HKS selected for the stadium project, and how many people are involved in the design?
SH The decision is rooted in the firm’s long history working with the NFL. We designed the Lucas Oil stadium in Indianapolis, the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, and most recently the Minnesota Vikings’ venue. We have a reputation for being the best designers in the world in this space. There are hundreds of architects and engineers working to create an incredibly memorable, fully integrated, multi-purpose entertainment district where people will want to go even when there is no NFL game.
Opening for the 2019 NFL season, the stadium is the confirmed host venue of Super Bowl LV in 2021
