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Putting practice and performance under one roof and pushing spatial bounds to create an all-encompassing sports center

Deerfield Academy Athletics Complex

Client
Deerfield Academy
Location
Deerfield, MA
Size
132,000 SF
Certifications
LEED® Gold Certified
Photographer
©Jeremy Bittermann
Services
Architecture
Additional Services
Landscape Architecture
Planning and Urban Design
Status
Completed 2018
Awards
The Architect’s Newspaper, Best of Design Awards, Editor’s Pick, Institutional – Kindergartens, Primary & High Schools category
Athletic Business Magazine, Facility of Merit
Boston Society of Architects, Honor Awards for Design Excellence, Award
American Institute of Architects New England Design Awards, Honor Award

Sasaki recently completed work with Deerfield Academy on a complex athletics and recreation project that involves the addition of an indoor field house, tennis center, crew tank, and the replacement of its ice hockey rink. This 132,000-square-foot facility is the latest piece of the existing sports complex, continuing the tradition of linking all venues under one roof.

The existing ice rink lies at the western end of the sports building, bounded by a cemetery to the west, wetlands to the south, and the main campus road to the north. The new design respects these constraints but gains substantial footprint area by turning the new rink ninety degrees and pushing it as far west as possible. This strategy opens up more useable space in the gap between the west end of the old building and the east side of the new rink. The building’s main venues and recreational spaces are organized around the central lobby.

Sasaki’s design clarifies circulation and wayfinding through this venue-rich complex, while providing state-of-the-art facilities and associated support space for ice hockey and indoor practice of baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, track, tennis, crew, and golf.

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