Cal Poly Recreation Center Renovation and Addition - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

A 100,000-square-foot expansion and 40,000-square-foot renovation of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s recreation center makes the most of a tight site by wrapping an existing building with a unified, open structure that richly interweaves interior and exterior spaces with long diagonal views. The center includes a two-court gymnasium, a multi-activity court, racquetball courts, a 20,000-square-foot exercise area, administrative offices, a running track, and an outdoor leisure pool and sand volleyball courts. These amenities complement renovated locker rooms and the existing renovated four-court gymnasium.

The design of the expanded facility uses a central, atrium-like spine to visually connect the major existing and new facility elements. The spine runs from the main entry through the facility and ends at the existing 50-meter lap pool, creating an open social and circulation space that fully integrates the indoor and outdoor activity areas. Two additional multiuse lobby areas were created — one for the existing four-court gym and one for the new MAC. The LEED Gold-certified building incorporates multiple sustainable strategies, including indirect and direct evaporative cooling and sustainable curtainwall glazing that reduces the need for artificial lighting.