Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, University of Houston

Houston, TX
Construction Cost: $20.7 Million
Area / Square Feet: 53,000
Occupancy Date: November 2015

The University of Houston’s Guy V. Lewis Development Facility was designed to enhance the university’s recruiting efforts and to elevate the development and performance of its student-athletes. The design of this dedicated player-development facility entices recruits and optimizes the size, adjacencies and transitions between spaces for practice, strength training, physical therapy, film review/coaching and academic requirements.

The project overcame constraints of a tight site by creating a unique multilevel building divided into clearly defined functional zones. The first level features the public entry, practice spaces, and shared conditioning and training spaces; the second level has student-athlete lounges and amenities; and the third level houses coaches’ offices.

The building provides identical spaces for women and men in equal legs of the L-shaped plan. Shared spaces are centrally located, and the atrium boldly claims the street corner. The atrium unifies the three-level structure and provides dynamic views into the building from the street.

The latest technologies are available to players and coaches throughout the facility, including docking stations in lockers, charging stations, video walls and optical scanners for building security. Interactive flat-screen displays for reviewing game and practice film are placed in multiple locations throughout the facility, enabling coaches to provide instruction wherever necessary.