Vaughan Athletic Center
Aurora, Ill.
Year in Showcase: 2006
Project Description
Transparency is the primary concept driving the Vaughan Athletic Center’s design. Large expanses of exterior glazing serve both as marketing tools for activities available at the center and as means of transmitting natural daylight. Sunscreens, horizontal mullions and butt-glazed vertical joints on the curtainwalls emphasize this strong design element. Interior clerestories and other windows greatly simplify the wayfinding process, increase visual interest in the building’s programming and ensure ample daylight.
Two large, basic forms comprise the massing, supplemented by a lower curved element located on the street side of the site. This curved mass, complete with canopies, helps bring the building to a more human scale. A primary control desk is placed just within the main entrance and on the axis of major corridors and intersects the primary building spaces, including the field house, natatorium, locker rooms, administration, child-care and concessions areas. The desk also has a strong vertical connection with the second-floor fitness center.
The exterior and interior color palettes are derived from the Fox Valley Park District’s colors of blue, yellow and white. Exterior glazing is tinted blue, the precast concrete wall panels are a warm yelloworange, and the aluminum curtainwall and window framing systems are white. Athletic flooring is used throughout the center and is primarily blue, yellow and gray. White ceilings are accented with blue fabric panels.
Project Details
Architect of Record: Cordogan, Clark & Associates Inc.
Aquatic Design Engineer: Water Technology Inc.
Programming/Operational
Consultant: Williams Architects;
Carol Stream, Ill.
Construction Cost: $24.35 million
Square Feet: 225,000
Occupancy: August 2005
Vendors
Basketball Backboards/Supports: Aalco Manufacturing Co.
Divider Curtains: Aalco Manufacturing Co.
Elliptical Equipment: Cybex International Inc.
Elliptical Equipment:
Life Fitness
Elliptical Equipment:
Precor Inc.
Entertainment Systems: Broadcastvision Entertainment
Exercise Balls: Resist-A-Ball Inc.
Folding Chairs: Mity-Lite Inc.
Free Weight Equipment: Cybex International Inc.
Free Weight Equipment: Hammer Strength
Free Weight Equipment:
Life Fitness
Handicapped Equipment: Pool Pals Inc., A Division Of Oreq Corporation
Lighting: Cooper Lighting
Pool Cleaners/Vacuums: Dolphin Spas
Pool Dehumidifiers:
Innovent Air Handling Equipment
Pool Diving Boards: Duraflex Int'l Corp.
Pool Filters:
Neptune-Benson Inc.
Pool Lane Markers: Competitor Swim Products
Pool Scoreboard/Timing Systems: Colorado Time & Colorado Display Systems
Pool Starting Blocks:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Pool Water Play Features: Empex Watertoys
Pool Water Play Features: Scs Interactive
Pool Water Play Features:
Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
Rehabilitation/Testing Units: Technogym Usa Corp.
Rowers: Concept2 Inc.
Saunas/Whirlpools: Mccoy Sauna & Steam
Scoreboards/Timing Systems:
Fair-Play Scoreboards
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Accurate Partitions Corp.
Swimsuit Dryer: Extractor Corp.
Tennis Court Nets/Posts: Porter Athletic Equipment
Volleyball Nets and Standards: Porter Athletic Equipment
Wall Padding: Aalco Manufacturing Co.
