Kenyon College - Kenyon Athletic Center
Gambier, OH
Year in Showcase: 2007
Project Description
Combining a traditional sports
program with recreational,
academic and social aspects of
the collegiate experience, the Kenyon
Athletic Center is notable for what one
judge called “a simple and strong
expression that carries through on both
the exterior and interior.”
The center’s smooth exterior of glass
and metal over exposed steel evokes a
sense of calm, with the sides that dip
toward the ground intended to mimic
the arc of a ball in play. Inside, a luminous
elevator and light sculpture serve as focal
points of a town-square-style lobby.
Throughout, transparency is balanced
against the need to control direct daylight
on activity surfaces through the use
of fritted and internally baffled glass,
north-facing skylights and sun-shading
structures.
Judges remarked on the building’s
simplicity of both form (one called it
a “field house quality”) and color
(conveyed in part by the palette of
pure white on the interior). Yet,
whatever coolness comes through in
the execution of the project, another
judge commented, is offset by an
abundance of warm, natural light.
Judges' Comments
An exciting, energetic building with a
fresh look and a forward-thinking image.
With all that you see in three dimensions,
in plan it’s a box — great job.
— John Linstaedt
A strong-willed use of transparency in a
consistent, rigorous application of various
glazing techniques.
— James Meyer
A cohesive architectural statement that
maximizes both external and internal
transparency.
— David Body
Project Details
Architect of Record: Gund Partnership; Cambridge, Mass.
Aquatic Design Engineer: Counsilman•Hunsaker - St. Louis, Mo.
Funded By: Private funds
Major Facility Components: 50-meter
swimming pool, weight room, field
house, training rooms, racquet courts,
theater and film library, multipurpose
rooms, study lounges, offices
Construction Cost: $60 million
Square Feet: 265,000
Occupancy: January 2006
Vendors
Basketball Backboards/Supports:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Bleachers/Grandstands:
Irwin Seating Co.
Bulkheads:
Stark Bulkhead Co.
Chemical Control Systems:
Siemens Water Technologies
Cleaners/Vacuums:
Aqua Products Inc.
Dashers:
Athletica
Divider Curtains:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Field Covers:
Sportexe
Filters:
Neptune-Benson Inc.
Flooring:
Duraflex Int'l Corp.
Flooring, Fitness Center:
Mondo
Handicapped Equipment:
Spectrum Aquatics
Ladders/Grab Bars:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lane Markers:
Recreation Supply Co. Inc.
Lighting:
Holophane
Lockers:
Lyon Workspace Products
Sanitization Systems:
Arch Chemicals Inc.
Saunas/Whirlpools:
McCoy Sauna & Steam
Scoreboard/Timing Systems:
Colorado Time & Colorado Display Systems
Scoreboards/Timing Systems:
Daktronics Inc.
Starting Blocks:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Surface:
Connor Sports Flooring
Surface:
Hollman Inc.
Surfaces, Basketball:
Connor Sports Flooring
Surfaces, Multipurpose:
Connor Sports Flooring
Surfaces, Track:
Mondo
Track & Field Equipment:
Aluminum Athletic Equipment Co.
Volleyball Nets and Standards:
Sports Imports Inc. (Senoh)
Wall Padding:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
