Practice Court
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY LIONS
Revitalizing the LMU Men’s and Women’s Basketball practice arena to better showcase program identity and bring the practice experience closer to the game-day environment. The design reimagines the court as a stage for culture and competition — an everyday space where players feel the same pride, focus, and energy they bring to Gersten Pavilion.
“They have been a tremendous asset to LMU and enhanced our facilities and brand. They have a very personal approach, thoroughly understanding your school’s brand principles, and working within those parameters to create awe-inspiring designs.”
- Craig Pintens, Athletic Director, Loyola Marymount University
The existing practice gym was functional but lacked the energy, focus, and visual consistency of LMU’s game-day facilities. The goal was to close that gap — transforming a utilitarian space into a brand experience that motivates athletes daily and reinforces a unified identity across both programs.
With limited architectural opportunities for change, the challenge became one of design precision — maximizing impact through strategic brand storytelling, lighting, and visual hierarchy.
The practice arena serves as more than a training space — it’s where culture takes shape. The vision was to turn every wall, line, and surface into a reinforcement of LMU’s basketball brand. The design needed to celebrate the Lions’ competitive drive while staying true to the program’s academic and athletic balance.
By elevating the daily environment, the space would double as a recruiting asset and a symbol of investment in LMU’s student-athletes.
Collaborating closely with LMU Athletics and facilities leadership, we identified key opportunities to visually link the practice arena to LMU’s broader basketball identity. Color placement, typography, and brand iconography were refined to command presence and guide sightlines across the court.
The result was a holistic design system — foundational yet adaptable — that strengthens the program’s brand whether experienced in-person, on social media, or through recruiting tours.
The transformation centered on strategic brand integration:
Custom wall graphics with bold typography and messaging that reinforce program values.
Refreshed finishes that reflect the modern LMU aesthetic — energetic, confident, and disciplined.
Visual cohesion with Gersten Pavilion and the men’s and women’s locker rooms, creating a seamless brand language across all basketball environments.
The design amplifies focus and belonging while maintaining a timeless, high-performance feel — proving that even practice spaces can serve as powerful recruiting tools.
The revitalized LMU practice court now mirrors the intensity and pride of game day. The space instills energy and identity into every training session, connecting athletes to the larger legacy of LMU Basketball.
More than an upgrade, the project symbolizes the program’s commitment to excellence — a daily stage where preparation meets pride, and identity is lived, not just displayed.
