2014 Facilities of Merit: Walter J. Hawrys Campus Recreation Center

Walter J. Hawrys Campus Recreation Center | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, N.Y.

What a difference color can make. More than half of the judging panel considered this project “bold,” most notably for its expression of color. One judge went so far as to call the facility’s exterior “iconic.”

 The palette that appears on the building’s skin is repeated on the interior, creating a cohesive theme of horizontally and vertically stacked red, gray, gray-black and black panels appearing in everything from day lockers to glazing.

Connected to an existing athletic center and the student union, the campus recreation center succeeds in establishing its own identity. In the end, the desire of designers to create a “wow” factor through the use of multihued red panels and glazed concrete block was rewarded.

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Judges’ Comments:

The layout and flow of the building is clear, and the interiors do a great job of integrating with the exterior aesthetic.

— Bill Baker

 The bold gesture of the red skin distinguishes this facility from the collection of uninteresting buildings surrounding it.

— Erik Kocher

 One of my favorite gymnasium spaces. Great quality of light. Design and color palette consistent throughout.

— Jeff Piette

ARCHITECT OF RECORD
Sasaki Associates | Watertown, Mass.

Cost: $28.6 million

Square Footage: 90,000

Funded By: University funds

Major Facility Components: Gymnasium, multipurpose activity court, fitness areas

The 2014 Athletic Business® Facilities of Merit™ awards were selected by a panel of sports and recreation facility architects during two days of judging in Madison, Wis. The 10 winners are being announced during these two weeks, and profiles of all 10 will appear in the November issue ofAthletic Business. The awards will be presented to the facility owners and architects at the Athletic Business Conference & Expo in Orlando on Friday, Nov. 14.

More 2014 Facilities of Merit: 

Auburn University Recreation and Wellness Center 

Audley Recreation Centre 

Chinguacousy Sports Park Redevelopment

Cornell Community Centre & Library 

Crisler Center Renovation & Addition -- University of Michigan

David Braley Athletic & Recreation Center -- Mohawk College

France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center -- Purdue University

Holaday Athletic Center -- U.S. Air Force Academy

Middlebury College Squash Center