University of California Riverside Recreation Center Expansion

A campus icon enhances student wellness and performance

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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.

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The recreation center embeds itself in a pedestrian-friendly campus. Students can easily access it throughout their schedules and routines.
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The majority of the fitness components are housed on the second level, an open space with undulating walls, 360-degree views and significant visual connections to the lower level.
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The majority of the fitness components are housed on the second level, an open space with undulating walls, 360-degree views and significant visual connections to the lower level.
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The majority of the fitness components are housed on the second level, an open space with undulating walls, 360-degree views and significant visual connections to the lower level.

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.

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A major focus for the design is increasing visibility to reduce intimidation and increase student comfort and participation.
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The building creates opportunities for all different types of student engagement. Recreation, yes, but also student socialization, relaxation and academic meetings. It is a diverse hub for student activity.
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The building creates opportunities for all different types of student engagement. Recreation, yes, but also student socialization, relaxation and academic meetings. It is a diverse hub for student activity.
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The building creates opportunities for all different types of student engagement. Recreation, yes, but also student socialization, relaxation and academic meetings. It is a diverse hub for student activity.

Testimonials

  • The Recreation Center complex has become a visual campus icon and reinforces for its students the connection between mind and body.

    AIA Inland Chapter Awards Jury
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The shape of the building's unique undulating screen was derived by mapping the annual movement of the sun to generate an optimal shading response. It creates a strong visual identity for the building within the campus context and animates the exterior facade as it changes in transparency and reflectivity throughout the day.
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Designed to accentuate visual connections to the campus and the surrounding mountain range, the rec center connects to UC Riverside’s heritage but also creates a powerful statement for its future.
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Designed to accentuate visual connections to the campus and the surrounding mountain range, the rec center connects to UC Riverside’s heritage but also creates a powerful statement for its future.
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Designed to accentuate visual connections to the campus and the surrounding mountain range, the rec center connects to UC Riverside’s heritage but also creates a powerful statement for its future.
University of California Riverside
University of California Riverside
University of California Riverside