Example Design Strategies for Gymnasium

Strategy

G.1 In order to achieve equity, flexibility and space efficiencies place the boys and girls lockers in front of the changing rooms, showers and team rooms for an all-gender environment.

G.2 Provide windows in the gym for natural light and views beyond to enhance and support a variety of uses (community, performances, teaching, and collaboration).

G.3 Minimize glare inside the gym through the implementation of exterior shading devices and interior light shelves.

G.4 Ensure that the gym can be used for teaching and learning by providing wireless technologies, hard wired data ports and ample power to support student devices and portable interactive flat screens.

G.5 Ensure that WiFi is extended to the sports fields for educational, recreational, and safety purposes.

G.6 Large gyms can serve the community in the event of an emergency or environmental concern. Ensure adjacency to toilets, showers, and kitchen. Provide a storage room for cots, medical supplies and food.

G.7 Allow the gym to be easily partitioned off from the rest of the building for secure after-hour access.

G.8 Install roll-down gym divider curtains for flexible teaching spaces.

G.9 In the event of emergency, the gymnasium generator should support lighting, plumbing, power, heat, ventilation, and AC.

G.10 Develop branding and messaging in the gym that supports inclusivity, diversity and a sense of community pride.

G.11 Provide signage and technology to promote health + wellness with messaging like “Walking helps your heart to be more efficient, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your organs” to not only educate students, but also encourage healthy behavior.

Category

Case Study: The Urban School

San Francisco, California

1. Full-Size Court

As main feature of this new academic and wellness center is the full-size court, where students can practice and play.

2. Upper Commons Overlook

Upper level student common spaces wrap around the gymnasium to visually connect the levels and students.

3. Urban Context

The site is bound on three sides by its urban context. Spanning two floors, the full-size gymnasium creates a social, activity center for the school.

4. Sports Events

The gymnasium functions not only during the school day for physical education classes, but also as an event center for after school sports and community events.

Next Steps: A Three-Step Approach

1 2 3

Measure

• Use sensor or observational studies to understand how your building is performing to establish an environmental quality baseline.

• Have school building occupants identify health priorities and areas of improvement.

• Identify health challenges in your broader community (e.g. food or energy insecurity, housing instability).

• Use qualitative and quantitative data to advocate for healthy school design and additional investment.

Engage

• Work with students, teachers, and staff to examine existing facilities. What strategies do you already have versus like to have?

• Inventory community activities done after the school day and discuss building needs (wayfinding, amenities, safety, access) with users.

• Integrate local service providers to discuss wraparound services within or near school facilities.

Prioritize

• Protect healthy design features in the budget through community engagement and data. Shared knowledge, values, and enthusiasm can support health-based decision making.

• Select strategies that may have other health, energy, and education benefits.