Southwest Recreation Center Expansion
- University of Florida
Gainesville, Fla.
Year in Showcase: 2012
Project Description
"See and be seen" is the core idea of this addition to the Southwest Recreation Center. The exterior glass wall showcases user activity with views into the facility while providing picturesque views out to campus. The strength and cardio fitness spaces include an upper-level jogging track overlooking the main cardio equipment space, unifying both levels of the open plan with its additional overlooks into the main entry lobby and student lounge.
Interior spaces use warm white tones with areas of color to accentuate student services and to provide a strategic visual backdrop. Translucent gator-skin-patterned vinyl was applied to the windows of the student lounge area to achieve partial visual separation.
On the building’s exterior, high-performance glass within aluminum curtainwall systems outfitted with horizontal sunshades controls solar exposure. Metal panels help define the main entry, while the south facade curves to gently expose more of the elevation to the west to position the building as a welcoming beacon to those entering campus from the southwest.
Tight site constraints and necessary stormwater storage required that the stormwater management system be placed in the front yard. The interior and site lighting design is melded with a site-specific art installation that interprets water in the onsite bioswales in an immediate and visual way. The art installation’s light columns are mimicked at the interior entry, where an arrangement of columnar lights changes colors and beckons users inside.
Project Details
Architect Of Record: RDG Planning & Design; Des Moines, Iowa
Construction Cost: $11.7 million
Square Feet: 53,301
Occupancy: August 2010
Vendors
Assessment & Monitoring Equipment:
Technogym USA Corp.
Cardiovascular Equipment: Cybex International Inc.
Cardiovascular Equipment: Nautilus Commercial Fitness
Cardiovascular Equipment:
Technogym USA Corp.
Cardiovascular Equipment: Woodway
Dryers: Dexter Laundry Inc.
Flooring: Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring, Aerobics: Robbins Sports Surfaces
Flooring, Fitness Center:
Mondo
Free-Weight Equipment: Cybex International Inc.
Free-Weight Equipment: Iron Grip Barbell Co.
Free-Weight Equipment: Spri Products
Lockers: Spec-Rite Designs
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Scranton Products
Strength Equipment: Precor Incorporated
Taping/Treatment Tables: Medco Sports Medicine
Track:
Mondo
Training Facilities - Electrotherapy Cart, etc.: Sports Health, Div. Of School Health
Washers: Dexter Laundry Inc.
