University of Maine Student Recreation and Fitness Center
Orono, ME
Square Feet: 87,919
Construction Cost: $16.9 million
Project Type: College/University
Year in Showcase: 2008
From the Editors
Superb interior and exterior finishes, including ample amounts of locally harvested wood, distinguished the University of Maine Student Recreation and Fitness Center in the eyes of the judges. Located on a heavily wooded site, the center (the largest project ever undertaken by the University of Maine) features an exterior palette of copper panels containing 90 percent post-industrial recycled metal that clad the volumes of the second-level fitness area along the south facade and the natatorium on the west. Precast concrete panels form the walls of the main three-court gymnasium, and a veneer of local South Bay quartzite stone on the face of the building’s lower level provides a strong base. Intersecting skylit galleries form the primary circulation paths and organize the facility’s main recreational components. Glue-laminated wood timber columns line these circulation paths, as well as the perimeters of the gymnasium and natatorium.
Judges' Comments
Nicely detailed exterior combines copper, stone and glass into strong organizing elements. Interiors are very simply and cleanly detailed.
— Philip Laird
Locally harvested and manufactured wood structure and finish provide a unique aesthetic and appropriate connection to the surrounding wooded context.
— John Kane
Bold exterior forms with a rich contemporary blend of materials express and complement the building’s geometry. The functional plan reflects the building massing.
— Tom Poulos
Project Details
Architect of Record: Cannon Design; Los Angeles, Calif.; Boston, Mass.; Washington, D.C.; Victoria, B.C.
Occupancy: August 2007
Associated Firm: OEST Associates Inc.
Portland, Maine
Programming/Operational
Consultant: Brailsford & Dunlavey
Washington, D.C.
Aquatic Design Engineer: Counsilman-Hunsaker
St. Louis, Mo.
Major Facility Components: Natatorium, fitness center, multipurpose activity court, gymnasium, jogging track, racquet courts, equipment room, multipurpose rooms
Funded By: Debt financing, student fees
Vendors
Basketball Backboards/Supports:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Chemical Control Systems: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Court Panels/Glass: Fiberesin Industries Inc.
Court Panels/Glass: A Best Enterprises Inc.
Divider Curtains:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Elliptical Equipment:
Life Fitness
Elliptical Equipment: Precor Incorporated
Exercise Balls: Power Systems Inc.
Filters: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Floor Finishes: Mats Inc.
Flooring: Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring, Fitness Center: Mats Inc.
Free Weight Equipment: Hammer Strength
Free Weight Equipment:
Iron Grip Barbell Co.
Handicapped Equipment:
Spectrum Products
Ladders/Grab Bars: Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lane Markers: Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lighting: Lithonia Lighting
Lockers:
Lyon Workspace Products
Rowers:
Concept2 Inc.
Sanitization Systems: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Saunas/Whirlpools: McCoy Sauna & Steam
Scoreboards/Timing Systems: Nevco Scoreboard Company
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Santana Products Inc.
Stair Climbers:
Life Fitness
Stationary Bikes:
Life Fitness
Strength Equipment: Cybex International Inc.
Strength Equipment:
Life Fitness
Surface: Aacer Flooring LLC
Surface: Sports Unlimited Inc.
Surface: Mats Inc.
Surface: Dal-Tile Corp.
Surfaces, Basketball:
Connor Sport Court International
Surfaces, Multipurpose:
Connor Sport Court International
Surfaces, Track:
Mondo
Swimsuit Dryer:
Extractor Corp.
Treadmills: Woodway
Treadmills:
Life Fitness
Wall Padding:
Draper Inc.
Water Play Features: Crystal Fountains
