University of California Riverside Recreation Center Expansion
A campus icon enhances student wellness and performance
- Client
- University of California Riverside
- Location
- Riverside, California, United States
- Size
- 80,000 square feet
- Status
- Completed 2015
Addressing the needs of a growing campus, University of California Riverside's Student Recreation Expansion project supports the physical well-being of its students and creates a new campus hub for social and academic interaction. Integrating with an existing building, the expansion transforms the site into a holistic recreation environment reinforcing the connection between mind and body, and addressing the challenges of context, environment and identity.
The new addition preserves an existing at-grade pedestrian thoroughfare while connecting seamlessly with the university’s existing recreation facilities. This was achieved by locating the majority of wellness functions on a cantilevered second-floor “bridge” linked to the existing building across a shaded breezeway.
Elevating UC Riverside's mission
Enhancing the quality of life for the people of California is embedded in the university's mission statement. This recreation center elevates that mission significantly as it unites key student health departments including Student Health Services, Student Counseling, Housing, Dining and Residential Services, and Student Recreation.
The design weaves together multiple recreation activities including jogging, rock climbing, fitness, basketball, indoor soccer, weights, physical therapy and swimming. The open concept creates dynamic relationships between the various components, enhancing the building’s potential as a place for social engagement. The new space ignited a 40 percent increase in student usage and participation.