Taking “Complicated” Out of New Sports Complexes
Building new is not always the best solution—particularly for institutional clients facing funding constraints and fast-changing programmatic needs.
A renovation and expansion transforms the identity of Stonehill sports on campus
Stonehill College Athletic & Fitness Center
The transformative project repositions the existing outdated complex into a contemporary center for athletics and recreation and adds critical new program elements through the expansion
Stonehill College engaged Sasaki to renovate and expand their current Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex to accommodate much-needed recreational and athletic space. Opened in 1988 and designed to serve 1,930 students, the Ames Sports Complex now serves more than 2,500 students. In addition, student engagement in recreation, wellness programs, and club and intramural sports has skyrocketed since the late 1980s, resulting in a significant need to enhance and expand the facility.
The design team began with a comprehensive program analysis, visioning exercise and precinct plan to ensure this major capital project met not only the College’s immediate functional needs but also exceeded their big-picture aspirations for recreation and athletics on campus. Named in honor of the College’s former president, the new 50,000-square-foot Rev. Mark T. Cregan, C.S.C. Athletic and Fitness Center houses weight and fitness rooms for students, community members and varsity student-athletes; group exercise rooms, dance rooms and multi-purpose spaces; student lounge and study space; locker rooms for 12 teams, as well as visiting intercollegiate athletic teams; enhanced space for athletic training and equipment; and program offices for recreational sports and athletics.
The continuous stream of games and practices on the adjacent outdoor field brings the transformed complex to the forefront of campus life, especially at night when the building is illuminated and the activity happening inside is highly legible
A vertical rhythm of brick piers and curtainwall extends the traditional materiality of the existing complex while providing views into and out of the facility
The athletic training program cantilevers via a “prow” form over a new path that meanders to the adjacent residences
The design transforms the existing complex through the removal of the existing entry (the existing lobby was converted into a sprung-floor dance studio) and the creation of a new two-story entry pavilion. Existing under-utilized squash courts were divided into two levels and converted into group fitness rooms, film room, and event spaces on the first and recreation and athletics offices on the second.
A new entry portal, next to the existing ticket booth and entrance to the football stadium, is wrapped in metal panel and glass curtainwall welcoming students, visitors, and spectators
Inside the new lobby, the hall of fame allows users to learn about the history of athletics and recreation at the college
Internal transparency connects all major spaces throughout the complex and permits an influx of natural light and views of the sports fields
The overall interior design strategy embraces the college’s colors: purple, gray, black, and white. In the upper lobby, bold graphics tie together the space
Inside the new lobby, the hall of fame allows users to learn about the history of athletics and recreation at the college
Internal transparency connects all major spaces throughout the complex and permits an influx of natural light and views of the sports fields
The overall interior design strategy embraces the college’s colors: purple, gray, black, and white. In the upper lobby, bold graphics tie together the space
The main athletic and recreation program is elevated to the second level and skinned entirely in curtainwall to provide continuous views to the playing fields
The organization of new program elements enables recreation and athletics to each have independent, specialized spaces within the facility while preserving the critical interconnectedness of these two programs. Major program areas including fitness, strength and conditioning, student lounges, and multi-purposes spaces are glass-enclosed and visually-connected through layers of interior transparency. The building frames adjacent playing fields providing views from these spaces out to the athletic and recreational activities beyond.
The strength and conditioning room occupies the important second floor prow of the building with prime views of the football stadium and neighboring woods towards the residential campus
In the athletic-focused areas, building systems and structure are intentionally exposed
The space under the prow is an exterior gathering place with covered protection and seating
The prow also defines a new gateway from the football lockers and a dramatic procession from the building out to the stadium
The project establishes a new pedestrian sequence from main campus to the residential district to the west
