Radford University Student Recreation and Wellness

Radford, VA
Construction Cost: 26.5 million
Area / Square Feet: 115,500
Occupancy Date: November 2014

The Radford University Recreation and Wellness Center provides multiple destination venues for recreation. The facility serves users with two distinct entrances, allowing portions of the facility to operate late into the night and in otherwise off hours. The building is an important place for healthful student interaction and participation, enhancing the quality of life for the entire campus community while providing a solid foundation for lifelong healthful living habits.

The facility features gymnasiums; racquetball courts; a jogging track; an exercise area with free weights, selectorized equipment and cardio space; group exercise space and the Radford University Outdoors Program. The design amplifies the activities within the building’s highly transparent skin, allowing the campus community and passersby to visually experience the activity within.

The interior finishes complement and highlight the dynamic architectural features of the building’s two- and three-story open spaces. The character of these finishes is sensitive to the traditional aspects of surrounding campus facilities, yet showcase and reflect the vibrancy of the functions of this facility in particular.

The exterior artfully combines brick, stone and glass to place itself into the architectural context of the campus. Responding to its eclectic neighbors, the southern half of the center reflects the traditional side of campus, while its north face presents a more modern interpretation of campus architecture.