University of Illinois at Springfield Student Recreation Center

Construction Cost: $14.8 million
Area / Square Feet: 73,000
Occupancy Date: August 2006

This student recreation center project was designed to fit into the campus master plan, as well as fit the existing conditions of the site. The prominence of the location (adjacent to the existing Kiwanis Soccer Field on the south side of the campus) dictated that this facility be a new campus gateway.

The singular feature of the facility is the serpentine public concourse, which includes a concessions area and passive recreation space, and serves as the public lobby for events, with a dedicated campus entry on one end and a public/event entry on the other. The entire recreation program expands from and overlaps into this free-flowing public space, lending the facility a visually dynamic and energetic feel.

The major component of the project is a three-court, multipurpose performance gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and badminton. This flexible, primarily daylit space is capable of serving student recreation needs and can seat as many as 3,000 spectators.

In order to accommodate a modest budget, the design is organized not only to provide for the current programmatic needs, but also to accommodate a flexible future expansion of up to 130,000 square feet.