The Student Fitness Center at Illinois State University, Normal, IL, and the Student Recreation Center at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, recently received design award citations from American School and University magazine.
The centers are featured in the 2012 Architectural Portfolio, published in the magazine’s November issue. Illinois State earned its citation in the specialized facilities category, and Colorado State received its citation in the renovation/modernization category.
The Illinois State building is home to both the School of Kinesiology and Recreation and Recreation Services. The 187,295-square-foot building was completed in January 2011 at a total cost of $42.6 million.
“The building’s transparency allows for safety and security of students—a place to ‘see and be seen,’” noted the Architectural Portfolio jury. “Good spatial quality and use of natural light.”
Colorado State’s renovation incorporated nearly 74,000 square feet of additions to the existing 101,500-square-foot facility. The renovation was completed in September 2010 at a total cost of $28 million. The existing recreation center had been a windowless 75,000-square-foot structure, and design decisions in the renovation focused on capturing external views of nature as well as incorporating natural light in the interior, according to the magazine.
“Great streetscape, exciting entry factor and expanded views,” the jury wrote. “Thoughtful use of natural light.”
Both the Colorado State center and the Illinois State center also were among the nine recipients of the 2012 Outstanding Sports Facilities awards from the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).
American School and University gave another citation award to Illinois Central College’s CougarPlex Fitness Center in East Peoria, IL, in the sports stadiums/athletic facilities category. The magazine also gave outstanding design awards in that category to Johnson and Wales University’s Wildcat Center, North Miami, FL, and Missouri Baptist University’s Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex, St. Louis. Tidewater Community College’s Norfolk (VA) Campus Student Center received an outstanding design award in the post-secondary category.