Southern Methodist University - Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, Renovation and Expansion

Dallas, TX
Construction Cost: $24.14 million
Area / Square Feet: 65,000 (new), 80,000 (renovation)
Occupancy Date: September 2005 (new), May 2006 (renovation)

The updated Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports stands in stark contrast to the dungeon-like original facility. From the openness of the brick and cast-stone entrance rotunda to the sun-lit heart of the building anchored by a climbing wall, the center is open, airy and easy to navigate. With dramatic views and well-connected interior spaces, it invites participation and creates a sense of belonging.

The centerpiece of the facility is a 40-foot climbing wall framed by eight 40-foot cherry-wood columns. The interior gymnasiums are surrounded by an indoor jogging track expanded from a narrow and tight-radius configuration. The central stairway provides a grand entry and offers visual access to all areas of the building.

Some of the facility?s architectural highlights include exterior retaining walls that use a cost-effective specialized stone in lieu of limestone to create a variety of clean and natural shadows, an ultraviolet (UV) water treatment system instead of chlorine, and fritted double-glass window panels to divert unwanted heat gain. The facility also sports classic collegiate Georgian architecture as an integral design component and includes a 10,000-square-foot shell for future expansion.