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In the discipline of art history it鈥檚 common to discuss the visual representation of saints and sinners, kings and queens, and maybe even a Viking or two. At Augsburg College, teaches courses on the history of art and architecture, and she鈥檚 prepared to talk about works ranging from the Mona Lisa to the Metrodome鈥攎ay it rest in peace.

Anderson鈥檚 current writing and research are focused on sports architecture, and she is co-authoring a book on the history of athletic facilities in the Twin Cities. As the St. Paul Saints baseball club settles into its new CHS Field in Lowertown and the Minnesota Vikings football team awaits the completion of a new stadium in Augsburg鈥檚 own backyard, here is Anderson鈥檚 take on the region鈥檚 shifting sports scene.

Q: During the past decade new sports venues including TCF Bank Stadium, Target Field, and CHS Field have opened their doors in Minneapolis and St. Paul. What factors have spurred so much change in such a brief period of time?

A: Quite simply, we have moved out of an era of multipurpose stadiums. They were popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and we got one of the last ones鈥攖he Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome鈥攊n 1982. Sport-specific facilities like baseball parks and football stadiums have become the standard, and that drives all kinds of new construction. And, of course, when one team gets a new space, everyone else gets in line. …

Q: Today鈥檚 sports venues offer amenities that extend far beyond a wooden bleacher seat and a bag of popcorn sold at the concession stand. What does this mean for stadium architecture and game attendees?

A: Every new sports facility offers more than its predecessor, and fans seem to expect this improvement. The rising expectations are not new: fan amenities have been part of the discussion since the 1860s. Like us, people from that time period talked about food selection, legroom, and comfort at the games. Attending to the fan experience can add cost to a project, but it is an investment worth making. Just think about the many amazing differences between the Metrodome experience and the Target Field experience.

Q: What effect does an indoor stadium (like the new Vikings stadium) versus an outdoor stadium (like TCF) have on attendance, especially in Minnesota鈥檚 climate?

A: We have an amazing range of weather, from glorious to horrible鈥攁nd we don鈥檛 always agree on which is which. This raises the stakes on decisions about stadium design. Rather than choosing 鈥渋ndoor鈥� or 鈥渙utdoor,鈥� many contemporary facilities combine aspects of each. The new Vikings stadium will have a glass roof and enormous windows, bridging the indoors and outdoors in space, light, air, and views. Target Field is an outdoor ballpark, but it is designed with sheltered areas, heat lamps, and other climate-mitigating features.

Q: Baseball is said to be America鈥檚 pastime. How does new stadium architecture show that the sport can remain relevant鈥攁nd sustainable鈥攊nto the future?

A: While most contemporary ballparks pay homage to the history and tradition of baseball, they also employ an amazing array of cutting-edge technologies. One of the most exciting recent developments is the emphasis on environmental sustainability. Target Field has two LEED Silver certifications, and other sports facilities like the Xcel Energy Center and CHS Field have also engaged in significant sustainability efforts, including rainwater recycling systems and sophisticated trash-sorting and recycling programs.

[Top photo] While traveling to or from campus, some Auggies have near-perfect views of the construction underway on the new Minnesota Vikings football stadium. This vantage point is near the intersection of Cedar and Riverside avenues in Minneapolis.