Storrs, CT
United States
The three-story 191,000 square foot student recreation center at the University of Connecticut opened its doors in August 2019. The facility includes approximately 30,000 square feet of fitness space, a four-court gymnasium, two multipurpose activity courts, an indoor running track, an aquatics center with a 25-meter pool and a recreational pool, a climbing center, racquetball courts, an outdoor recreation center and functional training and multipurpose rooms for use by the students and the UConn community.
The project team is committed to sustainable design since project inception, establishing a goal for both LEED Gold and SITES Certified ratings. Engaging in an integrated process, the design team collaborated with UConn students and stakeholders to explore design concepts and establish key sustainability factors, including energy and water use, building materials, air and lighting quality, and occupant satisfaction.
In addition to these goals, SITES measures were put in place, including establishing vegetation and soil protection zones (VSPZ) protecting mature trees, testing of soils, reducing water usage, controlling water quality, controlling water run-off, minimizing impermeable paving, using indigenous plantings, and minimizing heat island effect, conforming to dark skies methodology.