We are pleased to announce that our design for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus Recreation Center has been selected for an Athletic Business 2012 Facility of Merit award!
The new recreation center, sited at a prominent location along Commonwealth Avenue, reinforces the university's goal of fostering recreational activity and wellness. The design promotes recreation on campus by providing an attractive, vibrant space for students. "The open plan encourages engagement between users, and the use of transparency connects participants to passersby with the aim of inspiring everyone on campus to get involved," says Sasaki sports practice principal Chris Sgarzi.
Judge James Braam of 360 Architecture said the recreation center had, "[a] very thoughtful plan organization, executed skillfully with an understanding that buildings have a responsibility of addressing the social aspects of campus life."
"The UMass project is a true testament of Sasaki's holistic approach to building and site design," says Sgarzi. "A wide range of Sasaki's in-house design professionals came together to achieve a unified, balanced design." Sasaki's sports practice, comprised of an interdisciplinary group of dedicated professionals, has more than 30 years of experience planning and designing athletic and recreational projects on over 200 campuses nationwide.
The 10 merit award winners will appear in the December issue of Athletic Business. The awards will be presented to the facility owners and architects at the Athletic Business Conference & Expo in New Orleans on Friday, Nov. 30.