University of Houston -
Campus Recreation and Wellness Center
Houston, TX
Year in Showcase: 2007
Project Description
Back in 1997, when University of
Houston President Arthur K.
Smith called for “the creation of a
physical environment that facilitates
the connection between physical fitness,
academic success and personal wellness,”
he was articulating a whole new
vision for UH campus life for more
than 34,400 students.
The manifestation of that vision is the
Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
The university dedicated a premier piece
of its real estate to locate the center at
the primary point of entry to the campus.
Although it is enormous in size and
scope, the building layout is interlaced
with sightlines and punctuated with
visual reminders that connect users to
activities at its core. The climbing wall,
for example, can be seen from virtually
every interior point. Visual connections
to the campus and the city skyline
tempt the eye throughout the facility.
The exterior is composed of rigorously
proportioned brick, granite and glass
with arc forms and clerestories designed
to convey the dynamic social and fitness
activities within. This palette of materials
is also used throughout the facility’s
interior to create continuity and reinforce
the strong sense of place. An outdoor
aquatic zone features water slides, a
zero-depth entry, lap lanes and a
whirlpool surrounded by rock forms and
palm trees, all of which are viewable
from the indoor track and fitness zone.
Project Details
Architect of Record: Hughes Group Architects; Sterling, Va.
Associated Firm: Page Southerland Page - Houston, Texas
Aquatic Design Engineer: Water Technology Inc. - Beaver Dam, Wis.
Construction Cost: $42.73 million
Square Feet: 264,000
Occupancy: May 2004
Vendors
Basketball Backboards/Supports:
Schelde North America
Bulkheads:
Paddock Pool Equipment Co. Inc.
Chemical Control Systems:
Chemtrol, Div. of Santa Barbara Control Systems
Cleaners/Vacuums:
Brock Enterprises
Climbing Walls:
Nicros Inc.
Dehumidifiers:
PoolPak Inc.
Divider Curtains:
Aalco Manufacturing Co.
Diving Towers:
Duraflex Int'l Corp.
Elliptical Equipment:
Life Fitness
Elliptical Equipment:
Precor Incorporated
Filters:
Paddock Pool Equipment Co. Inc.
Flooring:
Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring, Aerobics:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Flooring, Fitness Center:
Mondo
Free Weight Equipment:
Magnum Fitness Systems
Handicapped Equipment:
Spectrum Aquatics
Ladders/Grab Bars:
Paddock Pool Equipment Co. Inc.
Lane Markers:
Competitor Swim Products
Lighting:
Holophane
Lockers:
Hollman Inc.
Rowers:
Concept2 Inc.
Sanitization Systems:
PPG Industries
Saunas/Whirlpools:
McCoy Sauna & Steam
Scoreboard/Timing Systems:
Daktronics Inc.
Scoreboards/Timing Systems:
Daktronics Inc.
Stair Climbers:
Life Fitness
Stair Climbers:
Nautilus Inc.
Stair Climbers:
Precor Incorporated
Starting Blocks:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Stationary Bikes:
Life Fitness
Strength Equipment:
FreeMotion Fitness
Strength Equipment:
Life Fitness
Strength Equipment:
Magnum Fitness Systems
Surface:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Surfaces, Basketball:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Surfaces, Multipurpose:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Surfaces, Tennis:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Surfaces, Track:
Mondo
Swimsuit Dryer:
Extractor Corp.
Tennis Court Nets/Posts:
Schelde North America
Treadmills:
Life Fitness
Treadmills:
Precor Incorporated
Volleyball Nets and Standards:
Schelde North America
Water Play Features:
WhiteWater West Industries Ltd.
