Project Description: Designed around a philosophy of "healthy building for healthy bodies," the University s recreation center inspires personal health and wellness. As the University s campus continues to grow, a larger modern facility with space for expanded recreation programs was desired. The client s goal was to inspire wellness, encourage an active lifestyle and be inclusive of all students, staff and alumni. The renovation and expansion of this dated 25-year-old facility provides the much-needed space to support the University s growing population and expanded programs in fitness, wellbeing, aquatics, intramural sport programs and outdoor adventure. The design team collaborated with the University to develop a successful phasing plan to keep the maximum amount of the facility operational during construction. Communal spaces and visual connectivity blend the transition between old and new, while the integration of new palette incorporates existing materials creating a seamless transition. Building Area: 256,000 SF Cost per Square Foot: $219 Construction Cost: $56,133,705 RA1.01 Date of Completion: October 2016
RA1.02 The design breathes new life into the dated facility by blending 25 year old existing historical elements juxtaposed with modern and dynamic design components. Drawing inspiration from the University s guiding vision of "Learn. Play. Succeed., the design promotes and encourages an inclusive environment for the campus s diverse population with the use of open plan concept and fitness neighborhoods. The highly-transparent façade invites students and faculty into the renovated facility, while the garden wedges create relaxing green spaces that further draw visitors in.
RA1.03 By anchoring the building adjacent to the University Lake, the recreation center draws students to this campus destination while connecting them to the surrounding landscape. The expansion was designed and planned to create connectivity and continuity, working with the existing infrastructure and seamlessly connecting the addition, and indoor/outdoor program areas with campus recreation spaces.
LEVEL 3 RA1.04 FLOOR PLANS LEVEL 2 LEVEL 1
RA1.05 A bold western face at the main entrance welcomes users. Overhangs, deep arcades, and trellis structures are designed to create an intelligent environmentally sensitive facility. Terra cotta panels and the durable architectural precast concrete base provide a warm contemporary detail while playing off of the University s historic context and use of clay tiles. Advanced façade technology, ultra-clear glazing provides maximum daylight and performance while reducing heat gain.
RA1.06 The design highlights the intersection of old and new creating garden wedges at the intersection where the new floor plate meets existing building space. Angled wedge-like slices bring natural light penetrating deep into the building footprint and mass. These green spaces cut inwards, physically pointing to the heart of the building, where the rock climbing wall and spiral portion of the running track join.
RA1.07 Fitness equipment facing the 3 story north wall allows members access to maximized natural light and transparency to the outside environment. Centrally located, the functional training ramp serves as a focal point in the fitness area allowing variations of workout routines.
RA1.08 A double height space for functional fitness training is prominently placed on the northwest corner of the new building addition to inspire and educate other students as they develop their own fitness routines. The designated functional fitness training studio expands directly onto the open turf area, allowing students to seamlessly transition through their exercise routine.
RA1.09 Carving a distinct pedestrian artery shelf into the building s exterior north façade, the visually expressed one-third of a mile, indoor, elevated tiger tail track sweeps throughout the fitness neighborhoods on the second and third floor. The track has subtle tiger stripes linking to the University s brand which is used strategically throughout the facility.
RA1.10 The expansive multi-level exercise spaces gave way to smaller fitness neighborhoods providing a sense of comfort for all skill levels. The dynamic 38 foot tall climbing tower and floating running track attracts students by inspiring a sense of wellness while supporting the active living objective of the 126,000 square foot addition.
RA1.11 A central lobby space with amphitheater-style seating, dubbed the social stairs, facilitates interaction and connectivity between the original building and expansion at both the first and second floors.
RA1.12 Positioned away from mainstream activities, the new Mind & Body Wellness Studio features warm walnut floors and multi-stepped lighting controls enhancing connectivity to the exterior with an outdoor yoga terrace and views sustaining a sense of calmness and tranquility.
RA1.13 The new Outdoor Aquatic and Adventure Center includes two fitness lap pools, a leisure recreation Pool, new tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and a new high ropes challenge course. The acronym-shaped pool boldly communicates the university s identity. Subtle tiger stripes in the paving and an outdoor oasis with lounge chairs and seating options create a comfortable spot for students to socialize. An exterior seasonal gate entry caters to the pedestrian axis that cuts across the north side of the facility and connects the outdoor amenities to the pool.