Sightline Commercial Solutions elevates the environment at LA Clippers’ new arena
By Josh Lekson
When the NBA’s LA Clippers broke ground on its long-awaited new home in Inglewood, Calif., it was a statement of independence. After 25 years of sharing a stadium with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers created a home of their own at the Intuit Dome, a $2-billion, state-of-the-art arena. Designed by AECOM and defined by a nearly acre-sized, double-sided halo board suspended above the court, the arena embodies bold innovation.
An Ambitious Design
Bringing that vision to life required a wide range of collaborators capable of meeting the project’s ambitious technical, aesthetic, and scheduling goals. Among the collaborators was Sightline Commercial Solutions, a Minneapolis-based fabricator, entrusted with one of the most visible and functional components of the arena: its railing systems.
Sightline contributed more than 17,000 linear feet—over three miles—of custom-engineered railings, which were installed throughout concourses, seating bowls, staircases, and premium spaces. The company’s custom-fabricated work aims to promote safety and crowd flow while helping define the look and feel of the venue.
Sightline’s role extended beyond fabrication. The team was involved in the early stages of the project, collaborating directly with architects, engineers, and general contractors to shape workable solutions for each zone of the arena. From premium suites to upper-level walkways, every location presented unique challenges and required unique solutions. Early involvement also gave the engineering team time to model the arena’s complex geometry using 3D laser scanning. That data allowed the company to account for real-world variations in field conditions and ensure tight alignment across all phases of work.
“From the beginning, this wasn’t a typical install,” says Jon Chase, Chief Engineering Officer at Sightline. “We were asked to match a very high design standard, work within precise tolerances, and deliver quickly, all while integrating with dozens of other trades on a compressed schedule.”
Beyond scanning, the team used precision-tube laser cutting and modular-construction strategies to expedite fabrication. Custom finishes, ranging from glass and stainless steel to etched panels and powder-coated aluminum, were carefully selected and placed to balance modern aesthetics with long-term durability.
Overcoming Challenges
While the scope was clearly defined, there were still numerous obstacles on the path to the project’s completion. Strict local building and railing codes led to many last-minute modifications. One of these challenges arose in the arena’s VIP areas, where Sightline was tasked with designing and installing railing systems for the grand stair structure. A late-stage change to the elevation of the concrete created a mismatch between the floor level and the originally specified stringers. Rather than allowing this issue to delay fabrication, the Sightline team worked closely and quickly with architectural and structural partners to revise the stair details and adjust railing specifications accordingly. Because of the close coordination between Sightline and its partners from the beginning of the project, they were able to implement these changes before the materials were cut, avoiding a delay that would have significantly impacted the timeline.
“It’s key moments like those that really test our process,” says Chris Altringer, Sightline’s Director of Engineering. “It’s about having the right information at the right time, and the flexibility to adapt to anything without losing momentum.”
Another challenge arose closer to the project’s completion, when it was time to install the venue’s terrazzo flooring. Because terrazzo is typically one of the last finishes to be installed on a project, it pushed the corresponding railing work into the final window when most other trades were wrapping up. To navigate this challenge, Sightline relied on its longstanding installation partner, Harriott Contracting, with whom it has collaborated on venue projects for more than 20 years. With Harriott’s skilled crews on-site and ready to work after-hours, when necessary, the team completed the installation without incident or damage to the delicate flooring.
In addition to the areas noted above, Sightline contributed powder-coated aluminum handrails, stainless-steel LED handrails, and diagonal picket handrails throughout high-traffic areas of the Dome to enhance safety and ease-of-access across the venue’s busy schedule of events. The integration of LED handrails required sensitivity and intense coordination to ensure the LEDs would be properly and safely powered. To ensure the lighting systems were powered correctly and safely, the Sightline team held regular meetings with the project’s electricians, stone installers, and concrete contractors. They also provided comprehensive layout drawings showing how the LED wiring and mounts would tie into the broader construction plan.
“In a job like this, there’s no such thing as working in isolation,” Altringer says. “The LED system had to be built into the structure from the start. That meant everyone had to be on the same page throughout the entire process, with no assumptions or missed steps from any team involved.”
A Holistic Atmosphere
Intuit Dome’s design also reflects a broader trend in modern sports architecture: the seamless integration of performance, safety, and style. Increasingly, venues are being designed not only as places to watch games, but as experiences where every detail, from lighting to seating, is part of a holistic atmosphere. To create this atmosphere, Intuit Dome has industry-defining features such as LEDs installed in armrests, controllable by individual fans, as well as a section known as “The Wall,” located behind the basket, for the LA Clippers’ most passionate fans.
The open concourses, transparent guardrails, and visually cohesive finish palette all contribute to an immersive environment where fans remain connected to the action no matter where they are in the building. Because Sightline was involved from the earliest phases, its designs aligned perfectly with the larger vision.
Sightline’s custom-fabricated railings not only ensure safety and accessibility for the 18,000-capacity venue but also reinforce the venue’s “high-tech, high-energy” visual identity at every turn. The team’s adaptability and problem-solving skills were essential throughout the project, particularly with the schedule pressures that come with unexpected field conditions. The team’s ability to stay in sync, both with design intent and the other teams involved on the project, highlights Sightline’s broad ability to streamline complex, large-scale projects that may even go beyond the core scope of the work.
“We’re proud to have played a part in helping the Clippers define their new home,” Chase says. “Projects like this epitomize why we love doing what we do.”
Josh Lekson is Project Manager at Sightline Commercial Solutions. He can be reached at jlekson@sightlinecommercial.com.