 |
||||||||||||||
| The centerpiece of the $12.8 million renovation project is the conversion of the building’s dark, dank second-floor gymnasium into a light-filled fitness center. The 17,000-sf fitness center features all the amenities of a modern workout center—cardio machines, free-weight stations, circuit machines, dumbbells, a spinning room, and workout and classroom space—all situated snugly within the historic gymnasium. | ||||||||||||||
| At a time when institutions of higher learning are spending tens of millions of dollars erecting massive, cutting-edge recreation and fitness centers, Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., decided to take a more modest, historical approach. Instead of building an ultra-grand new facility, the university chose to
The centerpiece of the $12.8 million renovation project is the conversion of the building’s dark, dank second-floor gymnasium into a light-filled fitness center. Designed by Lavallee Brensinger Architects of Manchester, N.H., the 17,000-sf fitness center features all the amenities of a modern workout center—cardio machines, free-weight stations, circuit machines, dumbbells, a spinning room, and workout and classroom space—all situated snugly within the historic gymnasium. The gym’s 1970s-era suspended ceiling system was removed to reveal 10 steel trusses that now cap the space in dramatic fashion. During the day, natural light floods the interior through replacement clerestory windows that mimic the originals. At night, the interior lighting scheme highlights the massive trusses and emphasizes the vast volume of the space. To meet ADA accessibility standards, the Building Team created a new, universally accessible route to the front door that maintains the historic character of the entrance. A long, sweeping walkway designed at less than a 1:20 slope permits easy access to the building and is free of obtrusive railings. The original tri-part front steps were replaced with a wider, front-entrance staircase that can better handle crowds during periods of peak use. Inside, a new oversized elevator provides access to all public floors of the building. The elevator also serves as a key design element of the lobby and fitness center, with detailed enclosures at each level. The Reconstruction Awards judges praised Dartmouth for reviving the campus landmark and were especially pleased with the university’s decision to have the building live on as center for fitness and recreation. “There are so many facilities like this that have been converted for different use,” said Reconstruction Awards honorary chair Walker C. Johnson, FAIA, principal with Johnson Lasky Architects, Chicago. “I like the fact that they chose to update it for its original use.” |
||||||||||||||
Project Summary Alumni Gymnasium Renovation, Dartmouth College Hanover, N.H. Building Team Submitting firm: Lavallee Brensinger Architects (architect, interior architect) Associate architect: HOK Sport Structural engineer: McFarland Johnson Inc. Mechanical/electrical engineer: Hallam-ICS Construction manager: North Branch Construction General Information Size: 140,000 sf Construction cost: $12.8 million Delivery method: CM at risk |
Related Stories
Retail Centers | Mar 10, 2015
Retrofit projects give dying malls new purpose
Approximately one-third of the country’s 1,200 enclosed malls are dead or dying. The good news is that a sizable portion of that building stock is being repurposed.
Retail Centers | Mar 10, 2015
Orlando's Skyscraper to be world's tallest roller coaster
The Skyscraper is expected to begin construction later this year, and open in 2016. It will stand at 570 feet.
Cultural Facilities | Mar 9, 2015
London council nixes plans to rebuild the Crystal Palace
Plans for the new Crystal Palace Park were scrapped when the city and the project's developer could come to an agreement before the 16-month exclusivity contract expired.
Museums | Mar 5, 2015
A giant, silver loop in Dubai will house the Museum of the Future
The Sheikh of Dubai hopes the $136 million museum will serve as an incubator for ideas and real designs—a global destination for inventors and entrepreneurs.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 5, 2015
Chicago's 7 most endangered properties
Preservation Chicago released its annual list of historic buildings that are at risk of being demolished or falling into decay.
High-rise Construction | Mar 4, 2015
Must see: Egypt planning 656-foot pyramid skyscraper in Cairo
Zayed Crystal Spark Tower will stand 200 meters tall and will be just a short distance from the pyramids of Giza.
Cultural Facilities | Mar 2, 2015
The High Line effect: Placemaking as an economic development engine
As big money and eager tourists flock to Chelsea, cities across the globe are starting to take notice. Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seoul, Sydney, Toronto, and Washington, D.C., are among the metros currently planning High Line-inspired park projects.
Industrial Facilities | Feb 27, 2015
Massive windmill will double as mixed-use entertainment tower in Rotterdam
The 571-foot structure will house apartments, a hotel, restaurants, even a roller coaster.
Architects | Feb 27, 2015
5 finalists announced for 2015 Mies van der Rohe Award
Bjarke Ingels' Danish Maritime Museum and the Ravensburg Art Museum by Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei are among the five projects vying for the award.
Cultural Facilities | Feb 25, 2015
Bjarke Ingels designs geodesic dome for energy production, community use
A new building in Uppsala, Sweden, will serve as a power plant during the winter and a venue for shows, festivals, and music events during the warm months.
