NIRSA Award

A new Recreation Center for the largest of the Florida Atlantic University campuses in Boca Raton.  When President Johnson dedicated the opening of the University in 1964 he declared that America had entered an era “when education is no longer for the sons of the rich, but for all who can qualify”.  The University experienced a surge of growth from the 1990s onward and FAU joined the surge of Universities building top-of-the-line amenities as recruitment tools.  The Design Team collaborated with the Recreation Director Eric Hawkes and Assistant Director Dax Kuykendall for their vision of what the facility could add to the campus.  The Recreation and Fitness Center Project is located on the North section of the campus, directly across from the stadium.

The Project consists of a new fitness, administration, and gymnasium building positioned around a central, double-height circulation spline with clerestory lighting.  The facility includes: a fitness area accommodating both cardio and strength equipment; an office suite, conference room, and departmental reception areas; a two-court, multi-purpose gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and badminton; locker rooms; two multi-purpose fitness studios for aerobic and spinning classes; a main lobby including control desk, and food service area; and an equipment checkout suite with laundry facilities.