The FAU Recreation Center is the first key component of the university’s new Innovation Village complex, which will also include residence halls, shopping and dining, and a 30,000-seat stadium.
An efficient, functional design is evident immediately upon entering the facility. The open floor plan, natural light, high ceilings and ample glass throughout allow users and staff to see multiple spaces from any area. The main lobby and circulation corridors are marked by an 18-foot-tall angled wall placed six inches above the floor with under-mounted LED lights, creating a subtle glow that makes the wall appear to float. The cardio space and gymnasium open directly to the lobby, while the light-filled student lounge overlooks the pool, with a glass wall facing the Innovation Village stadium site. The main entrance faces the alumni center and the plaza, strengthening the north-south circulation through the campus.
Among numerous energy conservation measures, an applied roof coating minimizes solar heat gain and protects the roofing surface. Daylighting is provided in nearly all rooms. Low-emissivity glazing throughout the building limits solar heat gain, and sound-dampening panels in the gymnasium improve thermal insulation.
Loyola University Maryland