UNC University Recreation Center in Charlotte

VERTICAL TRANSPARENCY

UNC UNIVERSITY RECREATION CENTER IN CHARLOTTE, NC

Location Charlotte, NC, USA

Client/operator University of North Carolina

Architects CannonDesign www.cannondesign.com

Jenkins Peer Architects www.jenkinspeer.com

Author Colleen McKenna

Photos Sean Busher

Official Opening January 2020

Construction costs USD 66 million (EUR 54.2 million)

A dynamic hub for campus recreation, the 13,750 m² center is the university’s first facility fully dedicated to campus recreation. With roots all the way back in UNC Charlotte’s 2010 master plan, the project is viewed as an essential component in advancing the campus and its ability to serve current and future student populations. CannonDesign together with Jenkins Peer Architects designed the facility to ensure students are front and center.

The University Recreation Center is located in the heart of UNC Charlotte’s campus, near the student union and within the academic corridor to further establish a dynamic student zone. While in the “zone,” students can eat, study, go to the bookstore, drop in for a workout, socialize and more.

While the building is located in the best location, the site wasn’t without its own challenges. The site has a dramatic topographic slope of nearly 30° from east to west and sits very near an adjacent student union and parking garage. To master this challenge, the design solution is a vertically stacked building that gracefully encompasses the slope with a main entry near the union’s front door. The two largest program volumes are stacked to the west with a fourcourt gymnasium sitting atop the indoor pool. The main vertical circulation core bridges the gap between east and west, creating a unique “link” between the major volumes.

During programming for the project, there was brief consideration to locate a second building on the same project site, given its prime location. However, the ultimate decision to locate just the University Recreation Center on the site proved best as it allows for future expansion and outdoor programming.

Impact of recreation program The University Recreation Center is UNC Charlotte’s first dedicated student recreation building. Prior to its existence, students and recreation services shared spaces with other campus departments. There came a point when the department and student demand simply outgrew

these shared spaces. Students were waiting for equipment and beginning to look for off-campus gyms, and it was reducing participation.

The goal of the University Recreation Center was to first solve this issue in a way that would increase recreation engagement, activity and opportunity for a larger, more diverse student population on campus. The center has achieved this as it now offers dedicated space for recreation, more space for core activities (7,787 m² for strength and conditioning compared to 930 m²), new spaces and resources, and significantly increased hours of operation.

For context and proof, UNC Charlotte’s recreation department experienced a 21.5 increase in student recreation participation pre-COVID with an increase of 14.5 unique users.

Inclusive design features The interior design concept reflects back on the history of the university, as Charlotte has a rich gold-mining history. The term “49ers” or “NinerNation” symbolizes gold mining and the pioneering spirit and determination that have led to UNC Charlotte’s dramatic growth. The main circulation spine throughout the building threads together with a continuous band capturing the essence of a gold-mining sieve flowing from the entry all the way through the facility to the pool.

Throughout the building and site, there is a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The use of glass creates transparency between floors and helps break down physical and metaphorical walls. Students running on the indoor track or lifting weights can quickly view or transition to outdoor volleyball, basketball or even a swim in the pool.

The recreation center is spurring new partnerships with internal teams at UNC Charlotte, including the student union, academic units like kinesiology, wellness promotions, dining services and more.

Facility functionality Key spaces in the five-story building include:

• four-court gymnasium • elevated running / walking / incline track • expansive cardiovascular and strength-training spaces arranged in a series of fitness neighborhoods located throughout the building • artificial turf indoor playground with sandbags and other functional training tools • multipurpose studios for group fitness, sports clubs and other activities • dedicated cycling studio • full demonstration kitchen to support nutrition classes and food preparation • indoor and outdoor lap and leisure pools along with an outdoor-pool support building • outdoor volleyball and basketball courts • extensive fitness balconies that help unite the indoor and outdoor experience Use of technology From a budget perspective, advanced control systems of mechanical systems including lighting, HVAC, plumbing and water work in coordination with existing campus building automation systems to ensure the most efficient and effective control from financial and comfort perspectives.

The building’s audiovisual and music systems can be automated by zones (by floor, by studio, by space (i.e. pool, courts, entry), and the facility can play numerous music types and TV stations at once. The TV monitors are also integrated, with digital messaging on monitors throughout the facility. Timing systems and channel control are also integrated to reduce manual efforts by staff. Leading-edge technology also defines the check-in and purchasing experiences throughout the building.

The building security systems are equipped with stateof-the-art cameras, alarms and more to ensure maximum safety for the university community and all building users.

THREE QUESTIONS TO THE ARCHITECT

Prior to the existence of the University Recreation Center, students and recreation services shared spaces with other campus departments. How has the URC also been opened for collaboration with other parties to ensure community benefit, e.g. with schools? The dispersion of campus recreation services wasn’t ideal before the new University Recreation Center opened at UNC Charlotte. So, the opportunities for collaboration, synergy and connections have only been amplified and grown stronger.

The building joins an acclaimed student health center, dedicated counseling center and diverse student life facilities to enhance the UNC Charlotte experience and achieve the institution’s commitment to health and wellness. It’s also creating new opportunities for academic programs, student recruitment and more.

COLLEEN MCKENNA Director, Sports, Recreation and Wellness Practice, CannonDesign (and UNC Charlotte alum)

The University Recreation Center is located in the heart of the UNC Charlotte campus, near the student union within the academic corridor. Which elements have helped to integrate the new building in the campus? The location of the building is so critical to its dynamic campus integration. Its proximity to other student buildings and resources creates a dynamic student zone where students can eat, study, go to the bookstore, stop in for a workout, socialize and more. The collision of these positive student experiences creates constant energy on campus.

Also, the building and site offer a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The use of glass creates transparency between floors and helps break down physical and metaphorical walls. On a facility level, that makes it easier for students running on the indoor track to quickly view or transition to outdoor volleyball or basketball or even swim. On a campus level, it creates great transparency, synergy and connectivity.

UNC Charlotte’s 2010 master plan was dedicated to promote student health and wellness. Today, in light of the pandemic, do you think the initial aim is more obvious than ever? Or has it changed in some way? UNC Charlotte wants to educate and graduate students ready to live holistically healthy lives. The pandemic hasn’t changed that. If anything, the building emerged at the right time. It created a haven for wellness during the pandemic and, as we emerge into a post-pandemic world, it will only deliver on that mission in new ways.

No doubt, the pandemic has created new mental and physical health challenges for students. Resources like the University Recreation Center and its ability to bolster other departments like student health, mental health and more is as critical as ever.