Changing the Game with Custom Railing

by hanna_kowal | August 29, 2025 11:32 am

Architects utilized high-tech, 3D laser scanning to capture the dimensional data needed to rapidly produces a variety of railing types for the Homefield KC sports venue in Kansas City, Mo. Photos courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions.At Homefield KC, a newly constructed multipurpose sports venue in Kansas City, metal components harmonize to achieve both visual cohesion and structural safety. Sightline Commercial Solutions contributed nearly 610 m (2,000 ft) of custom-engineered aluminum railing systems, which were key to balancing safety, sightlines, and architectural consistency throughout the facility.

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To meet the project’s design and fabrication demands, 3D laser scanning was employed to capture accurate dimensional data of the steel-framed structure. This data informed the rapid production of multiple railing types—including picket, drink, aisle, separation, and cane detection rails—all fabricated from aluminum and finished with a black anodized coating. The result is a uniform, contemporary visual language that enhances the spatial flow without compromising durability or function.

In areas requiring visibility and fall protection, aluminum railings were paired with 14 mm (0.56 in.) glass infill panels incorporating a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer. These were mounted directly to steel framing along the front of the spectator bowl, requiring tight tolerances and coordination between glazing and metal systems.

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Elsewhere in the venue, custom aluminum drink rails were engineered in collaboration with Turner Construction to integrate countertop surfaces matching those used throughout the building, further unifying the material palette.

Coordination was key in achieving Homefield KC’s unified aesthetic design, says project lead Josh Lekson.

“There was a shared sense of pride in the work. Everyone wanted it to look good, feel right, and make a difference in the community—and that made the process smooth,” he says. “We were involved early enough to coordinate closely with the design team and other trades, which made all the difference. That collaboration helped us deliver a system that looks clean, performs well, and integrates naturally into the space.”

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The design of Homefield KC supports high-capacity configurations for national-level volleyball and basketball tournaments. Seating systems provided by third-party manufacturers integrate seamlessly with the metal railing infrastructure, contributing to a unified experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/features/custom-railing/

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