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St. Edward’s University reveals new Recreation and Athletic Center

University Buildings

St. Edward’s University reveals new Recreation and Athletic Center

Specht Architects designed the building.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | January 27, 2020
Exterior St. Edward's Recreation center at dusk

Credit Andrea Calo.

The recently unveiled Recreation and Athletic Center at St. Edward’s University has been designed with a focus on holistic well-being. 

The 12,400-sf addition to the existing facility, originally built in the mid 1980s, features new fitness and wellness facilities such as a yoga studio, a wellness center, and a meditation center with an openness and connection to the environment that is centered in the middle of the campus.

 

Students doing yoga at St. Edward'sCredit Andrea Calo.

 

The addition wraps the campus-facing side of the facility and is for use by the entire student body and faculty rather than for athletes only. A portion of the building extends out toward the heart of the campus and incorporates outdoor “stadium type” seating facing a new plaza where performance and presentation will take place. The plaza was created where a parking lot once existed and creates a new pedestrian-oriented active space.

 

See Also: Sacred Heart University to build $60 million hockey arena

 

The yoga/studio space is the focal point of the new facility and has been designed as a glass cube that floats above the entry plaza. It is located at one end of the main campus green and provides an inviting new presence at a corner of the campus that was previously dark and under-occupied.

 

Gym SpaceCredit Andrea Calo.

 

Yoga studio interior

 

St Edward's addition exteriorCredit Andrea Calo.

 

St. Edward's podChelsea Purgahn/St. Edward’s University ®.

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