Exploring Life & Business with Tom Larimer of Larimer Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Larimer.

Hi Tom, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Larimer Design was born from a simple idea: sports architecture should do more than meet technical standards — it should bring people together and make the game feel alive. After years of leading projects in San Diego, I founded the firm to focus on the gameday experience, designing high-performance venues for Major and Minor League Baseball, USL, the NFL, and collegiate and municipal sports.

We’ve had the privilege of transforming some of the country’s most historic ballparks, blending modern performance standards with the soul of the game. At our core, every project is a partnership, and our goal remains the same: creating fan-centered spaces that strengthen both teams and communities.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most journeys, it hasn’t always been smooth. Early on, one of the biggest challenges was establishing a niche in a highly specialized field — sports architecture is competitive, and earning the trust of teams, municipalities, and communities takes time. More recently, the global shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered venues across the country, creating unprecedented uncertainty for both teams and designers.

Those challenges, however, have been some of the most rewarding. They pushed us to be more creative, adaptive, and collaborative. Overcoming obstacles alongside our clients and seeing a project come to life — from concept to a full gameday experience — is what makes it all worthwhile.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Larimer Design is a full-service architecture firm that specializes in sports and entertainment venues, with a particular focus on ballparks. We design high-performance, fan-centered facilities for Major and Minor League Baseball, USL, the NFL, as well as collegiate and municipal sports venues.

What sets us apart is our focus on creating experiences, not just buildings. Every project is designed to bring fans closer to the game, strengthen community connections, and support the operational needs of teams and cities. We combine technical excellence with an understanding of the culture and spirit of each sport, creating spaces that feel authentic and memorable.

We’re especially proud of our track record of transforming existing stadiums while enhancing their character, earning recognition for innovations that enhance the gameday experience. For our brand, this commitment to thoughtful, collaborative design is what defines us — we aim to deliver venues that teams, fans, and communities can be proud of for generations.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up in Northern California, I was always curious about how things were put together — whether working on my bikes, taking apart toys, or sketching doodles in the margins of my notebooks. I loved going to professional baseball and basketball games, and I was fascinated by the energy of packed stadiums — how the architecture, the crowd, and the game all came together to create something bigger than any one part.

Personality-wise, I’ve always been driven by a mix of creativity and practicality. I enjoy solving problems, but I also love imagining what could be. That balance between vision and execution eventually drew me to architecture — and specifically to designing spaces that bring people together around something they love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.larimerdesign.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/larimer-design
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@larimerdesign579?app=desktop

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Larimer Design