Coppin State University Physical Education Complex
Baltimore, Md.
Year in Showcase: 2012
Project Description
The Physical Education Complex anchors the north end of the expanded Coppin State University campus. If the north side of the building is considered its primary public face, the south end of the long east bar is its main campus entrance. This bar is articulated as three low brick boxes that step with the topography. The wall of the south face is glass, which is used to communicate to passersby the activities housed in the building. The campus side of the building faces athletic fields and appears to sit on a raised plinth, the concrete face of which curves sympathetically with a running track. Covered porches and terraces help to connect public and campus spaces, while articulating the different functions that occur inside.
Students may enter the north side of the building (a lobby is situated between a performance arena and a natatorium) or, more likely, the south end of the east side. An auxiliary gym, multipurpose gym, racquetball courts, locker rooms, classrooms, faculty offices, weight training and fitness areas, and a dance studio are all located along the primary circulation path that extends the length of the facility. Each space is carefully positioned to offer students views from interior circulation and exterior terraces and plazas.
The interior palette of materials is mostly neutral, with tones of wood, concrete and ground-faced block paired with accents of blue and yellow, the school colors. Custom wood louvers are strategically placed to visually link the public concourse outside the arena to the east lobby. The louvers function as room dividers, sunscreens and wayfinding devices along the primary circulation path.
Project Details
Associate Architect: Sasaki Associates Inc.
Architect of Record: Hord Coplan Macht
Aquatic Design Engineer: Counsilman-Hunsaker
Construction Cost: $95.1 million
Square Feet: 256,000
Occupancy: January 2010
Vendors
Arena Seating: Interkal
Baseball Backstops: Sportsfield Specialties Inc.
Basketball:
Aacer Flooring
Basketball Backboards/Supports: Performance Sports Systems
Bleachers/Grandstands: Interkal
Chemical Control Systems: Becs Technology Inc.
Cleaners/Vacuums: Aqua Products Inc.
Court Panels/Glass Walls: Court Co., The
Divider Curtains: Performance Sports Systems
Filtration Systems: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Flooring, Fitness Center:
Mondo
Ladders/Grab Bars:
S.R. Smith
Lane Markers: Competitor Swim Products
Lighting:
Musco Lighting
Multipurpose:
Mondo
Racquetball/Squash Courts: Court Co., The
Scoreboard/Timing Systems: Daktronics Inc.
Scoreboards: Daktronics Inc.
Scoreboards/Timing Systems: Daktronics Inc.
Soccer Goals: Sportsfield Specialties Inc.
Sports Surfaces: Little Tikes Playgrounds By Playpower
Starting Blocks:
S.R. Smith
Tennis Nets/Posts: Sportsfield Specialities Inc.
Track & Field Equipment: Sportsfield Specialties Inc.
Volleyball Nets and Standards:
Porter Athletic Inc.
