CSU New Recreation Center

Cleveland State University

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CLIENT GOALS

The University wished to replace existing physical plant assets with a new wellness/fitness center and student activity center. Existing facilities required significant capital improvements, were opaque and inward focused, and did not meet the administration’s directive of an outwardly focused urban campus.

SOLUTIONS

WMF in association with Sasaki Associates collaborated on a study to develop campus planning blocking diagrams for a new wellness/fitness center and student activity center. The study resulted in two proposed new facilities. (1) An 112,000 GSF recreation center with cardio fitness areas, gymnasiums, running track and racquetball courts and (2) A 90,000 GSF addition and renovation to the current student union. The team designed the new signature 112,000 square foot state- of-the art recreation center.

Features include an interior three-story atrium, gymnasium, a multiple athletic center, multipurpose rooms, racquetball and squash courts, running and jogging track and over 17,000 square feet of weight and fitness areas. An in-house wellness center provides coursework and training for health and fitness. The building was strategically located adjacent to the existing physical education building that affords access to an Olympic sized pool, training pool, and three court varsity basketball arena.

The building was designed to maximize openness and visual awareness of the facilities activities both from the interior and exterior. Innovative design solutions were implemented to achieve a LEED certified building with little to no additional costs.

RESULTS

In order to maximize openness and visual awareness of the facilities activities both from the interior and exterior, innovative design solutions were implemented. The Rec Center achieved LEED Certification with little additional cost.

This was an award-winning design receiving recognition by the Cleveland Engineering Society “2007 Award for Excellence”, National Association of Industrial & Office Parks (Northern Ohio Chapter) “2006 Architectural Design of the Year” and National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) “2007 Outstanding Sports Facilities”