University of Southern Indiana Athletics Precinct

Achieving Division I and expanding student horizons

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Client
University of Southern Indiana
Location
Evansville, Indiana, United States
Size
Screaming Eagles Arena and PAC (225,000 square feet); Natatorium Building (25,000 square feet)
Status
Completed 2021

Through an exciting, multi-phase effort, we helped the University of Indiana (USI) create an incredible athletics precinct on their campus comprised of a new arena and natatorium, and the revitalized and expanded Physical Activities Center (PAC). These dynamic resources have helped propel the university to join the Ohio Valley Conference as an official Division I partner.

Our work with the campus has spanned years and all different project types, resulting in state-of-the-art collegiate athletics spaces and stunning architecture. Highly artistic and purposely communal in their design intent, the buildings independently and collectively employ light, geometry and texture to creatively nourish their location, maximize nearby synergies, and strengthen the institution by numerous measures beyond just athletics.

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The seating bowl in the Screaming Eagles Arena is designed to optimize views for fans, experiences for athletes and reflect the Screaming Eagles brand.
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The seating bowl in the Screaming Eagles Arena is designed to optimize views for fans, experiences for athletes and reflect the Screaming Eagles brand.

Screaming Eagles Arena

A pivotal project for USI, Screaming Eagles Arena is an iconic addition to the campus as a 4,300-seat venue to host the school's basketball and volleyball teams that can also host concerts, dignitary speakers and graduation ceremonies. Key spaces infused throughout include a full-size competition court for basketball and volleyball, locker rooms, training rooms, box seats, a media room, a concessions area and varsity club room among other resources.

Our team used virtual reality to help USI leaders, athletes and donors better understand the environment during the design phase. At one point, we held a session where they could virtually shoot free throws in the space years before it was built.

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To lighten its perimeter, the solid mass of the building was lifted and replaced with clear glazing below, which activated the interior and exterior pedestrian experience. To the north, the building facade is lifted to allow light in, while to the south, the glass is brought down to minimize heat glare.
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The university colors play a key role in shaping user experience and guiding people through the building. Extensive stretches of red on the ceiling, walls and floor all interact for visual impact and wayfinding.
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The university colors play a key role in shaping user experience and guiding people through the building. Extensive stretches of red on the ceiling, walls and floor all interact for visual impact and wayfinding.
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The university colors play a key role in shaping user experience and guiding people through the building. Extensive stretches of red on the ceiling, walls and floor all interact for visual impact and wayfinding.

Testimonials

  • This arena rethinks the arena type, producing an intriguing and enigmatic sculptural form. The mass of the building is opened up and activated through strategic and geometric use of glass and fields of red. The building is both restrained and bold at the same time.

    Athletic Business Architectural Showcase Awards Jury
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The west facade effortlessly offers views inside to maximize a major public boulevard and campus walk paths. The building uses different geometry and building volumes to create engaging architecture for the campus.
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The west facade effortlessly offers views inside to maximize a major public boulevard and campus walk paths. The building uses different geometry and building volumes to create engaging architecture for the campus.
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The west facade effortlessly offers views inside to maximize a major public boulevard and campus walk paths. The building uses different geometry and building volumes to create engaging architecture for the campus.
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Our environmental graphics team elegantly integrated the Screaming Eagles logo into the interior and exterior of the building to reinforce school pride.

Testimonials

  • With the completion of the Screaming Eagles Arena, the natatorium and the PAC, we are set up for great things in USI athletics. Division I is on our minds ... these facilities absolutely help in numerous ways. It's very exciting.

    Jon Mark Hall University of Southern Indiana Athletics Director
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The Physical Activities Center

An expanded physical activities center

The second phase of our work on USI's athletics and recreation precinct encompasses the complete expansion and renovation of the Physical Activities Center. The redesign establishes a new building entry, a large weight room and training room spaces, classrooms, open-lounge study spaces, a kinesiology lab and more.

Separate from the Screaming Eagles Arena and natatorium components of this project, the PAC recreation and academic spaces are open to all students on campus. These dynamic spaces bring even more energy and vibrancy to the campus hub.

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On every front of the campus hub, the buildings come together to create stunning architecture and memorable moments.
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Expansive weight and cardiovascular training spaces elevate the recreation resources and wellness culture on campus.
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Expansive weight and cardiovascular training spaces elevate the recreation resources and wellness culture on campus.
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Expansive weight and cardiovascular training spaces elevate the recreation resources and wellness culture on campus.

Natatorium building

The new natatorium is located on the south side of the Screaming Eagles Arena and PAC. The design places the pool below ground level and incorporates upper-deck windows, which allow a birds-eye view of the pool.

“For the natatorium, the inspiration was about controlling the light to accommodate the swimmers and prevent glare from the sun, balanced with creating views from the exterior pathways of the swimmers and activities inside,” said John McAllister, our design leader for the project. “The building’s form is derived of subtle geometry shifts in the facade to balance light and views while creating a feeling of movement through shadow and texture of the brick.

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The natatorium building's architecture controls light into the building and subtly reinforces themes of movement.
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Fans and athletes have views up and down throughout the natatorium building.
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Fans and athletes have views up and down throughout the natatorium building.

Testimonials

  • These projects were all about expanding campus culture and bringing new life to the campus. The arena and PAC are one of the first things you see when arriving on campus, so we knew the design needed to have a presence both on campus and out to the community that was forward-thinking.

    John McAllister Design Leader
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