Facilities of Merit 2012: California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
Northridge, Calif. 2012Year in Showcase: 2012
Project Description
The recreation center at California State University Northridge was conceived nearly 20 years ago when campus facility planners anticipated the growing demand for student recreational space, as well as the need for a recruiting tool for prospective students. The resulting facility includes basketball courts, a multipurpose activity court, a climbing wall, a running track, a racquetball court, fitness areas, multipurpose studios and a 7,400-square-foot leisure pool.
The building's design follows the repeated use of a 60-foot-wide module that incorporates structural, mechanical and electrical solutions to enhance the building's performance (module width was based on the width of a basketball court). This module extrusion, along with a cost-effective corrugated metal skin for most of the envelope, offset the cost of the other more expensive materials, such as interior wood surfaces and the structural glass of the east facade’s "human billboard."
In keeping with the university's mission as a sustainable campus, materials such as polycarbonate resin panels were selected as partitions for their high recycled content and durability. Polished concrete floors were used for their ease of maintenance. FSC-certified wood was specified throughout the interior for sports surfaces, as well as wall finish in select areas. Additional sustainable design features include daylighting from more than 50 skylights, a rooftop photovoltaic installation, displacement ventilation beneath gym bleachers, and a ReRev system that uses some of the center’s exercise equipment to generate power.

Judge's Comments
This is a bold and graphic building with a clear, integrated design approach to the exterior and interior expression. Cloaked in a metal sunscreen veil, the facility transforms from opaque to illuminated at night. This project presents a fresh and exciting contemporary model for today's student recreation center.
— Jim Kalvelage, Opsis Architecture
I loved the structural columns coming up at these angles and running around the track inside the structure — it just seemed like a really great space to inhabit.
— Robert McDonald, Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative
This project was so sophisticated — not only was there great juxtaposition between the two facades, but they just took every detail through the building and made it consistent.
— Stefanie Greenfield, Cambridge Seven Associates
Project Details
Architect: LPA Inc.; Irvine, Calif.
AQUATIC DESIGN ENGINEER: Aquatic Design Group Inc.; Carlsbad, Calif.
Construction Cost: $41 million
Square Feet: 120,000
Occupancy: December 2011
Access Ramps/Stairs: Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Assessment & Monitoring Equipment: Advantage Fitness Products
Basketball: Connor Sports Flooring
Basketball Backboards/Supports: Porter Athletic Inc.
Cardiovascular Equipment: Advantage Fitness Products
Chemical Control Systems: Siemens Water Technologies
Cleaners/Vacuums: Knorr Systems Inc.
Climbing Walls: Rockwerx
Court Panels/Glass Walls: Fiberesin Industries Inc.
Covers: T-Star Enterprises
Dashers: Becker Arena Products Inc.
Divider Curtains: Porter Athletic Inc.
Dryers: Speed Queen
Filtration Systems: Knorr Systems Inc.
Flooring, Aerobics: Connor Sports Flooring
Flooring, Fitness Center: Mondo
Free-Weight Equipment: Advantage Fitness Products
Gutters: Kinematics Ltd.
Ladders/Grab Bars: Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lane Markers: Competitor Swim Products
Lighting: Cooper Lighting
Lighting: Pentair Water Pool and Spa
Lockers: Club Resource Group
Multipurpose: Mondo
Racquetball/Squash Courts: Connor Sports Flooring
Sanitization Systems: Knorr Systems Inc.
Scoreboards/Timing Systems: Daktronics Inc.
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Club Resource Group
Strength Equipment: Advantage Fitness Products
Swimsuit Extractors: Extractor Corp.
Tennis Court Nets/Posts: Sports Imports (Senoh)
Track: Mondo
Volleyball: Connor Sports Flooring
Volleyball Nets and Standards: Sports Imports (Senoh)
Wall Padding: Porter Athletic Inc.
Washers: Speed Queen
Water Play Features: Lincoln Equipment Inc.