JUST FOR
KICKS Psychology / History & Research
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JUST FOR
KICKS Psychology / History & Research
Table of Contents
Project Description
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Client & Users
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Precedent Analysis
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Design Issues 32
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Project Descriptions
Abstract Introduction Design Themes Project Goals
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Abstract
JUST FOR KICKS is a state of the art indoor soccer facility that is located in West Chester, Ohio right off of Interstate 75. Located in a great location with a variety of food and shopping nearby, this facility is easy to reach and in the heart of a family area in one of Cincinnati’s best suburbs. The facility will provide people of all ages with a space to enjoy the atmosphere of soccer that is so dearly loved around the world. Teams from all over the Cincinnati area and the tri-state will flock here to get a piece of the action. Using motifs derived from all things soccer the building has a unique personality that will keep you excited and energized from the moment you hit the parking lot. Just for Kicks is the place to be for all soccer enthusiasts.
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Introduction
Soccer, or Futbol as it is known to the world, is the most popular sport on the planet. With millions of players all over the globe, the sport has captured the hearts and feet of many. The world is fascinated by the game and the beautiful movement of the ball, weaving through and around players in its attempts of reaching the back of the net. The movement that the players and the ball create with one another is unique and elegant. It is a beautiful game that takes skill and hard work. With both of those qualities a player can become a truly great soccer star.
Soccer is a sport that is universal. Seventeen laws comprise the game, with two halves of equal time. There are always two teams and one ball. Soccer is to be played on grass or a surface closely similar. For the most part soccer can be picked up and shared with anyone, anywhere, which is what makes the sport so great. Seeing players grow into creative being is inspirational. Training is key to this development and is vital to those passionate about their game. Preparation is one of the most important aspects of every sport, and in soccer it is no different. Practice is extremely important in preventing injuries as well. There are not many breaks in a soccer game so if you are not warmed up or in the right mental state, you are at a higher risk of being hurt. Having a space to train that is safe and creative is a part of the game that can truly enhance the learning experience.
Most of the time soccer is played outdoors. Rain, shine, warm, cold, even a little snow can occur in the outdoor season. Training outside helps prepare you for these elements, however there is a part of the year when it is just safer to stay inside and not go out in the elements. During these months is when a player can advance their skills tremendously. Indoor soccer is normally played on turf, typically faster than any grass surface outside. You are in a controlled environment, which can help you concentrate on the task at hand even more. It is important in the off-season to grow as a player if you wish to be completely prepared for when the spring season comes. A facility that can provide a player a great off season opportunity to increase their skill is something that is in my opinion a little under valued in the United states at the moment.
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Across the country there are many indoor soccer facilities that exist, but not many create a unique learning environment. Many facilities are cold open spaces that are not insulated nor do they have any temperature regulation built in for such a large space. Most have walls of plexi-glass surrounding the perimeter of the field, which can provide multiple issues in themselves. They create injuries and are not very similar to the environment of outdoor fields, which have open sidelines around the rectangular playing area. Spectators of the sport do not have many spaces to sit and if they do it is typically a wooden or metal bench with no back support. Referees and their activities are normally not given much if any consideration when space planning the facility. All of these issues could greatly improve the indoor soccer experience and take the game to the next level.
Providing a community with a place like this will not only improve the sport but also the collective relationships of the residents with each other as well as with spectators and the sport. There will be a healthy activity for members of the community and of all ages to participate in a competitive, healthy environment. The space may have the ability to transform into a communal environment for large functions as well, which can bring those people who may not typically be involved in soccer or sporting events into the space. The facility can provide Cincinnati with something unique and exciting that will hopefully pull in members from the tri-state area and possibly even further around the country.
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Design Themes
Futbol, as it is known in most countries, has often been known as the poor man’s game. It has received this name on the simplicity of the play and materials needed. The sport can be played anywhere on any surface, which it often is. All one needs is a ball to play. This is why we see a large amount of people playing the game in low-key urban areas around the globe and why it has become the most popular sport in the world. Just for Kicks will take this history of the game and where its roots are and use it to inform guests and to influence the design of the space. The connection between the architecture and the landscape is also an element that is seen in urban areas and has the ability to translate into the game of soccer connecting the spectator area to the field. The urban aspect also connects to the origins of the game of futbol in general. Soccer has been played wince the time of the ancient Greeks and Chinese, both places that practiced early development of urban design.
/ Repurposed Lumber By using repurposed wood in the space, the space will hint at where the game is normally played, outdoors. Using it on the floor is one way of accomplishing this, but by using the material in unique ways it can transform into something completely new. There is possibility of using this material in furnishings, on the walls, or in feature displays in the space.
/ Connection to the Outdoors Creating a visual connection to the outdoors from within the space will allow for natural light and will adjoin the indoor game with the outside.
/ Reuse of Old Materials In urban areas there are a variety of textures and materials used, mainly because these areas have been built up over time and building materials advance and change. To be able to integrate older materials but use it in a new way will create a space that commemorates the old in a new era of history and futbol.
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Project Goals
/ Promote the sport of soccer and create opportunities for improving every aspect of the game to all users. This facility is a place to come together and play, but with every game and practice, a player improves their skills. Offering specific tools to help players of all ages the ability to advance their game will make this facility a premier place to play. Not only will this opportunity be offered to players, but will extend to the coaches, referees and spectators as well. Creating spaces for each of these users will allow for more focused learning. In a few of the spaces displays will be installed that will offer new tips and activities for the user to join in on to further advance their knowledge of the game.
/ Enhance the experience for those not on the field. In most facilities currently there is not a comfortable or exciting environment for those who are not on the field at that given moment. By creating a spectator area that is connected to the fields, which can cater to the needs of that group the atmosphere for the viewer will be greatly enhanced. There will be support areas such as multi-purpose spaces to be rented out and an arcade to occupy time of the spectators and players when not on the field.
/ Create a sufficient playing area that can allow the game to be as safe and exciting as possible. Safety is a large underlying aspect of any sport and its rules. By using the best materials and creating space for proper preparation before a game there will be less injuries and the space will be as healthy as possible. Warm up space and a training area on site puts this facility ahead of others in safety and will further the quality of play.
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Client & Users
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Client
The client for Just for Kicks is the city of West Chester. They are looking for a communal activity space that also provides for other physical activity and supportive functions. The city sees the opportunity to create a place that would not only service the West Chester community, but the extended public in the area as well, while presenting a healthy and competitive place to advance the well being of all members of the society. There are multiple businesses located within the shell that will be completed in phases, Just for Kicks being part of the first phase. The city is moving forward with a plan for the new soccer facility after receiving commentary from its occupants that it would like the preferred sport to be soccer since a large amount of youth in the area play. With the facility they are hoping to house tournaments and events alike and are looking to make this a premier soccer center that will attract members to the area, boosting sales and opportunities for other businesses in the city.
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Users
There are multiple users this space would have and they each need to use the space in a different way. This facility would have staff, players, referees, coaches, and spectators. Most facilities cater to the player the most, but I want to extend the design and thought into the other users of the space as well since they are most likely a larger percentage of those using the building throughout the day.
/ Staff They need access to an office and spaces that the other users do not, such as storage or a front desk. They have further knowledge of how the facility runs, how to clean areas and how to keep the facility looking its best. It is essential to make a lobby and front desk area accessible to all for anyone who may have questions or need to find a member of the staff. Having a minimal uniform may help with trying to find staff that may be working behind the scenes in the building as well. If there are spaces that are to only be accessed by staff members then sufficient way finding or key or code access should be implemented into the space.
/ Players The players are there to prepare and play to their highest potential in the time they are on the field. They are using the space the most intensely in their time not he field. Being warmed up and in the right mind set can enhance a players performance thoroughly. In most soccer facilities there is no place for wither of these things and it can harm a player’s safety and play. Small field and turf areas for teams to start warming up their muscles will help prevent physical injury throughout the duration of play. By including a small locker room area and space to talk and leave their belongings during the game will allow a team space to talk about strategy and what they might want to work on during the game.
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/ Coaches Coaches are not a very large percentage of users either, but they are there to get their players ready for a game and to teach as much as they can to their team. Providing teaching tools they may need would help the coaches train to the highest ability as possible. Also an area that may be used for coaching tips and trainings would show that the facility cares greatly about the advancement of player development and will help do what they can to make this happen.
/ Referees Often times they are the least thought about users in spaces like these. Even though they are most likely the smallest percentage of user, they are a vital part of the game. They keep everyone safe and do quite a bit of moving themselves. Without a licensed referee the game can become dangerous, which can diminish the spirit of the game. A space to get ready and to warm up a bit before hand would be a great addition to soccer facilities. A small locker room or space that can also provide a few tools for the referees would make the facility a preferred place to work at and learn. They can also be considered a member of the staff and may need to have at least minimal access or be adjacent to a main office.
/ Spectators They going to be moving in and out of the space as much as the players will be and are an important aspect to the atmosphere of the game. They will be watching and cheering on the players and reacting to what happens during the duration of play. They may also be lounging in the space, waiting for games to start or arriving early to allow the players they accommodate to the space time to warm up. Being the largest percentage of people in the space, I want to offer a variety of places to sit and relax to watch a game in comfort. Typically there are not many seating options, especially any that are comfortable so to be able to give this user a better experience is a large improvement to how they experience the facility currently. 19
Precedent Analysis
Projects: / Centre de Formation de Football / SOWETO Football Training Center / Universidad de Chile Soccer Club Facility
The goal of examining the three stated precedent soccer facilities is to analyze how each conceptually and functionally create their spacial adjacencies as well as create views connecting them to the main purpose of the site itself.
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Centre de Formation de Football
The Center de Formation de Football is a soccer training facility for Amiens Metropole located in Amiens, France. The building was built by Chartier-Corbasson in 2009 and was to accommodate 45 players completing their everyday ritual tasks on and off the pitch. The interior spaces include dressing rooms, classrooms, training halls, and catering. The site is located next to the River Selle, so when starting the project a dialogue arose between the tamed nature of a pitch made out of artificial turf and the untamed greenery growing off and around the river itself. An attempt to mend the two together became a goal of the project and was implemented by using a cloak of turf that wraps up and over the side of the building. This gesture creates two facades and also attempts to integrate the support of the building onto the field and vise versa. There is also the ability for activities on this part of the roof and accommodates a view of the fields from a higher angle, allowing the spectator to see the whole field. The facade facing the field is outwardly focused while the river side facade creates inwardly focused spaces. The parts of the building that are not wrapped with the turf, are glazed allowing views out to the field or the forest, creating more of a connection to the outdoors. The first floor of the building integrates dressing rooms, a medical unit, services, and activity halls. The second floor has room for the trainees, training spaces and administrative offices.
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/ Analysis This project speaks to the connection between the field and the technical support needed in the game of soccer. The field wrapping up and onto the building tries to display the connection in a physical and visual way. It begins to successfully intertwine the two, however there are more opportunities for this to become even more connected, for example the field could continue in and through as opposed to just over. The way the field continues now creates a lack of views on the opposite side of the building to the actual function it is supporting. This is a negative and also a positive aspect of the project in that the activities located on that side of the facility have a focus on the task at hand rather than any distractions and it still maintains a visual connection to the outdoors in general. The ability of the players to walk into the building from the field directly to the locker rooms and through into other areas of the building is a great sequence of space, however the rooms are very separated and enclosed which begins to make disconnection between activities in the building.
KEY Proximity of Spaces
Fields Designates Single Space
Medical
Locker Rooms
Offices
Adjoining Space
Meeting Primary Circulation
Trainees
Training Rooms
Secondary Circulation General Visual Easement
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SOWETO Football Training Center
FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) saw multiple opportunities for growth in South Africa when evaluating the area for the 2010 World Cup. The facility was part of a series of buildings they wanted to create for the event. This was a great opportunity for them to be able to reach out and uphold their goals of long term development of impoverished areas of the country. When RUFproject, based out of Canada, was hired to create the site they had a long term sustainability goal that they kept in mind throughout the process. They wanted the site to be not only a showcase of the tournament, but offer support for the game for years to come. The facility itself plays host to 1,200 teams and more than 20,000 players each year. RUFproject also teamed up with Nike Football Brand Design to create a space that was designed “Around and for the player, supporting various aspects of their day.� The programming of the space includes:
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2 new full sized artificial pitches 2 junior turf pitches, new lighting A clubhouse & Player lounge An education facility for the Grass Roots Soccer & Life Skillz program A Training Gym, Physio & First Aid facility A Product Trial, Catering Administrative Offices Viewing Deck Change Rooms
The building is a two level space that employs multiple sustainable design strategies, including energy efficient passive solar design. An energy-efficient water-based cooling system with air circulation was employed to keep most of the building at reasonable temperature. The lighting fixtures used in the facility were all energy-efficient, such as like metal halide fluorescent and LEDs. Another interesting feature is that approximately 30 tons of recycled rubber tires were used to create the surface for the tunnel, gym and the cushioning and infill for the artificial turf fields. The facade is made of locally sourced South African timber louvers and is suspended from the steel frame. The louvers act as the main source of shading for the building and with its use of “cuts� in the facade, creates a visual and physical connection to the outdoor and indoor space. The second story also includes a collapsible sliding window mechanism that allows for greater viewing of the game as desired. The building also includes views in and out of each room to another part of the building, creating a transparency making it appear as if the spaces were completely open to the rest of the building, but still allowing for privacy when needed. They really tried to keep an emphasis on the flow from one area to the next as well as making the education of soccer as clear as possibly wether the player is on or off of the pitch. A player can immediately come off of the field, into the locker room and travel through a series of instructional areas.
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/ Technical Drawings
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/ Analysis The connections between the indoors and outdoors is a strength of this project. There is visual and physical connection between the two and the facade creating this connection was also used to help with heating and cooling aspects of the building. The opportunity one has to view the field from up above is a unique experience when trying to view the whole field and increases ability to learn from watching others. One can see the entire pitch and the sounds from the pitch allow you to hear what is going on and how communication is implemented into game play. Throughout the building there are support spaces that seamlessly lead from one to another and do not have a heavy disruption from one area to the next, allowing for interaction and learning to take place throughout the entire facility.
The changing rooms and more physical activities are located on the ground floor, which is directly adjacent to the field space, allowing for a ritualistic promenade of space every player has before stepping on to the turf. This is the most seamless way for a player to prepare physically and mentally before becoming completely ready to play. The fact that the education of the game was not lost in the design, but was pushed in the interiors in a whole new way is a huge accomplishment of the facility. The spacial sequencing of the history to the media space and on through more private learning sectors creates a nice flow from public to private areas.
KEY Proximity of Spaces
Fields
Meeting
Designates Single Space
History Catering
Adjoining Space
Training Players Lounge
Medical Education
Primary Circulation Secondary Circulation General Visual Easement
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Universidad de Chile Soccer Club Facility
The Universidad de Chile is located in Santiago, Chile and is home to the second most popular soccer club in Chile. Designed by PLAN Architectos the structure was completed in 2010. It houses not only the Men’s team, but also the Women’s team as well. The site is over 91,000 square meters of space, but the building area itself is only about 5,000 square meters. The building is located on the center of the site, sitting in a longitudinal orientation. There are fields located on both sides of the facility, one side being natural grass intended for recreational and tactical soccer training, and the other being synthetic grass made for the public to access or use for training, fun, or for other sports as well. The building itself is a system of smaller buildings with a continuous roof spreading over al the buildings with a significant overhand on either side to allow for sufficient shading. There is open space between each smaller building and a series of skylights integrated into the roofing system. The intention of the architecture was to create permeable space so that the technical and active areas start to integrate and become one, showing the relationship needed for a club to exist. This is also accomplished through the visual and physical connections from the field to the building and vise versa. The arrangement of space was intended to also imply the independence of each space and that they can stand alone and the different activities do not have to mix. Each building has a specific activity including team offices, collaboration areas, press areas, physical training, and locker room space. There is a double loaded corridor through the middle of the entire building area of the site and there are views out towards the field from every space in the facility. The esthetic look of the building has a similar feeling to that of an institutional building, suggesting some connection of the game and a supportive or learning space located within.
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/ Analysis The spacial arrangement of technical support in relation to the surrounding fields is quite unique and not very common in the realm of team pavilions. The idea of the technical support acting as a spine through the whole site is a very unusual, but special connection of the two spaces. Typically the fans and support surround the field, here the core of what keeps the business side of the club running is surrounded by sport. It is a different twist on this particular facility and is quite successful in that manner. The way the layout was created with multiple buildings under one long roof, allows for delineation of space however may make it quite difficult to get from one space to another easily and could disrupt communication between staff members and or players as well. However, the visibility created by the slight separation of space is a great connection between fields and the views you get of the pitch from every room in the complex is quite brilliant. The original intentions were a little conflicting, the idea of the building being support and connecting to the fields was accomplished, but then became confusing when another goal was described as to allow for no mixing of the field and the building. The main purpose of the building is to be the support and as a result of the programming of space a collaboration between the two is destined to happen. The building in location to the field is laid out in the best way of allowing this to be realized.
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Fields
Training
Training
Dress/ Train
Lounge
Dressing
Meeting
Meeting Offices
Lobby/ History
Press
Fields
KEY Proximity of Spaces
Designates Single Space Adjoining Space
Primary Circulation Secondary Circulation General Visual Easement
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Design Issues
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Design Issues
/ Lighting Having sufficient lighting in the field areas is an important feature of the space. The players must be able to see each other to play the most exciting and safe game possible. The spectators should also be able to watch the game comfortably, especially since they will be sitting the farthest away from the field in comparison to other users. The lighting should also be securely attached to a surface and preferably far enough away or protected from projectiles, such as the ball. Maintenance is something that should also be considered. With a ceiling height of over 20 feet, there should be a plan for cleaning and changing any lights when necessary. Referring to guidelines set by FIFA and talking to current sports facility designers and managers will help gain a more clear perspective on what the best way of managing this issue is. There should also be some sort of safety lighting, which would charge on in the case of a power outage. This is important with so many players and spectators in the space at one time.
/ Acoustics Acoustics can be a large issue in a building used for sporting events. Communication is a key aspect in sporting events and should be thought about thoroughly in a space like this. In most sports there is a wooden floor of some sort, making it hard to hear since you are completely surrounded by hard surfaces. Luckily in soccer there is a turf flooring system, which will help control some noise slightly. There will still be an issue due to it being such a large space and the walls and ceiling are harder surfaces. Applying some sort of feature to the walls can help adjust the sound levels so players and coaches can hear each other and allow for the most effective communication.
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/ Temperature Temperature can also be an issue in some sports halls. Proper insulation and temperature regulation are important factors that are not always taken into consideration. A comfortable temperature for an indoor sporting complex is between 60 and 64 degrees. This is similar to an early spring or mid fall day and is cool enough for players running around but not too cold for the spectators watching the games. The temperature can and should be thought about to make the experience healthy and relaxing and is a aspect of the game play that the facility can easily control.
/ Materials Choosing appropriate materials for a indoor soccer facility can help prolong the life of the space and enhance the experience as well. Having flooring that will hold up to the amount of traffic moving through the building will be an important feature. Seating may also be a factor in how comfortable a spectator is and how long they can sit and watch a game. Currently in most facilities like this the seating of spectators is not normally considered or is an expense that is first to be cut in the end to be able to put the money elsewhere. The more safe and enjoyable the experience, the more people will come back to play and watch games.
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On the Cover...
Pele Full Name: Edison Arantes do Nascimento Birthdate: October 21, 1940 Origin: Tres Coracoes Brazil Position: Forward Clubs: Santos, New York Cosmos National Caps: 92 Pele Is widely regarded as the best football player of all time and scored 760 official goals during his career. He began playing for the Brazil’s National team at age 16 and won a World Cup by 17 years of age.
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“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” – Pele
Nicole Mysinger Interior Design 2012 mysingne@mail.uc.edu 419.944.7042