Island Health & Fitness stands on the west side of Ithaca, overlooking the inlet to Cayuga Lake. Conceived as a modern community center, the facility houses a 35,000-square-foot fitness facility, a 5,000-square-foot medical rehabilitation center, a full-service spa, a child-care center, a riverside café and 15,000 square feet of medical offices that offer an array of medical, cosmetic and health services.
Because of a tight site and zoning requirements, the building had to accommodate a two-story element, as well as three- and five-story components. The structure also needed to include space for a future river walk, resulting in a long and narrow building enhanced by plenty of natural light.
The interior design carries the theme of a nearby historic train station, and the palette is mostly neutral, with accents of energizing colors. Backlit onyx on the front desk, fireplaces and stained concrete floors provide a warm, welcoming feel. The path from the entry to the pool terminates at a threestory rotunda with a curved stair that leads to the rooftop exercise deck.
Outside, a limestone and brick twostory base anchors the building. Large expanses of glass were used to the east and west to control heat gain and maximize natural light and views of the inlet. The tower is constructed with coppercolored metal with an extruded frame and a floor-toceiling glass curtain. This was done to create transparency and reduce the overall scale of the building, which anchors a main bridge that leads to a large recreational park.
California State University, Fresno Student Recreation Center
