Responsive to its site" and "extremely well-integrated." So spoke the judges about the expansion to the University of California, Santa Barbara Recreation Center, which joined an existing recreation and aquatics complex to enclose a 9.5-acre landscaped compound.
The building?s orientation and stepped massing maintain views to the distant mountains and preserve existing live oak trees and a historic eucalyptus grove. The expansion is divided into an academic wing, with spaces linked by a covered tile-walled walkway, and an activity wing featuring a multipurpose activities court, a 30-foot climbing wall and locker rooms. A fitness room transitions the scale between the two wings.
The judges responded positively to the building inside and out, noting the exterior?s response to the distant Santa Ynez Mountains, as well as the interior?s sophisticated use of materials that include heavy timber framing, maple wall panels and glass walls. Special mention was made of sustainable features, such as operable windows that passively ventilate more than 90 percent of the building, which were incorporated into highly functional recreation spaces.
Judge's Comments
Even though the facility is very large, the
scale is broken down to a comfortable
perception of size. The plan within
demonstrates a great circulation pattern
and is very easy to understand.
— John Linstaedt
The colors and texture of the exterior
reinforce the coastal landscape and
the building seems to grow from its
surroundings.
— Tom Betti
An interesting layered solution to a
multifunction recreation/academic
program.
— David Body