Carpenter Sports Building Renovation and Addition - University of Delaware

Newark, DE
Construction Cost: N/A
Area / Square Feet: 223,000
Occupancy Date: November 2013

This renovation and addition transformed the vintage 1970 Carpenter Sports facility into a contemporary student recreation venue while making it a contextual part of the campus green, the most historic precinct of the Delaware campus. The center creates an architectural punctuation to the northern terminus of the green, where an open drop-off to play fields and utility areas once existed. Highlighted by a new pedestrian plaza at the entrance, an outdoor courtyard with ample seating further connects the facility to surrounding buildings.

The existing structure was masked by a three-level addition, reflecting the scale and character of the original campus buildings. The 176,000-square-foot facility includes a natatorium, two gymnasiums, student and employee fitness centers, racquetball courts, a climbing wall, locker rooms and offices.

The new 47,000-square-foot addition is organized into three levels. The lower level houses all weight training, providing privacy and noise and vibration control in a naturally lit environment. The main level houses the entry atrium, meeting/gathering areas, central administration areas, group training and light cardio, and the upper level houses the indoor track and an array of fitness equipment.

The facility hosts the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, as well as various University of Delaware club and intramural sports. It also houses recreational activities for students, faculty and alumni, and for the community of Newark.