California State University, Long Beach, Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Since CSULB was one of the three largest universities nationwide without a campus recreation center, the new facility has transformed the student experience.

Major activity spaces are visible from a large plaza prior to entering the lobby. Activity spaces are arranged on two floors on both sides of a grand circulation spine, from the building entry at the west end to the climbing/bouldering wall as a focal point to the east. Exercise equipment is distributed throughout the facility to promote integration and a variety of experiences. An interior “street” maximizes views of the building’s major components. From the outside, broad expanses of glass turn the illuminated building into a beacon at night.

The university motto (“Go Beach”) inspired the interior colors and finishes. Blue rubber flooring, tan wood floors and stone tiles recall sand and water, while ceramic tiles and upper-level accent walls painted with reds and yellows reflect the colors of a sunset.

The design concept embodies the university’s tradition of mid-century modern architecture while furthering the goal of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. The building employs the campus vocabulary of brick and expressed structure, and light-colored metal panels and glass provide an interpretation of the campus’s architectural heritage.