MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

CONESTOGA COLLEGE STUDENT RECREATION CENTRE

MJMA

ARCHITECTS
MJMA

LOCATION
Kitchener, Canada

PHOTOGRAPHS
Shai Gil

CATEGORY
Recreation & training, refurbishment

ELECTRICAL
SNC-Lavalin

MANUFACTURERS
American Hydrotech, Kalzip, Permacon, ROCKWOOL, Ritz Architectural Systems, Columbia Lockers, Delta Elevator, Dunleavy Cordun Inc., Great Lakes Architectural Hardware Inc, Robbins Sports Surfaces, Spectra Advertising

EXISTING INTERIORS
MJMA

MECHANICAL
SNC-Lavalin

LANDSCAPE
MJMA

PROJECT TEAM
David Miller, Robert Allen, Andrew Filarski, Viktors Jaunkalns, Tyler Walker, Dan Kronby, Mitchell May, Olga Pushkar, Kristin Beites, Kenyon Jin, Darlene Montgomery, Tarisha Dolyniuk, Woosuk An, Katya Tunon-Marshall, Jason Wah, Timothy Belanger, Razmig Titizian

STRUCTURAL
Blackwell Engineering

YEAR
2016

CIVIL
C.F. Crozier & Associates

EXISTING BUILDING (1980)
Strassman Wagman Partnership (no Strasman

Text description provided by architect.

The project renovates and expands an existing aging facility to enhance student-life on campus and promote healthy, active living. The existing facility housed a gymnasium and an underutilized arena.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

A campus survey indicated only one-percent of students used the ice and a need for more gymnasia, fitness, and social space. The redesign updates the existing gym, adaptively reuses the arena with a new triple-gym and track, and a large student commons and classrooms at the second-level concourse.

The new front addition contains a large welcoming reception, wellness centre, therapy rooms, and student rooms, and second-level fitness centre and multipurpose studios.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

The original project brief called for demolition of the existing arena with a new pre-engineered building to house student and fitness space. Planning research determined the existing double parabola roof complex could be repurposed at less cost with the former arena space adaptively reused for additional gymnasia.

The main entry is reoriented to the campus, fronted by the new lantern-like addition of fitness and student programming, and a new student plaza connecting the new building to its campus.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

The new configuration retains the iconic form of the original complex while the expansion presents a new lighter face to the campus.

Located on Conestoga’s Doon Campus in Kitchener, the revitalized recreation centre reorganizes its’ position on campus by placing the main entrance at ground level towards the campus rather than to the parking lot as in the existing plan.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

The fully glazed addition of fitness and multipurpose studios is suspended over the student plaza providing a covered outdoor public space.

A green roofed canopy connects the adjacent academic building and replaces a seldom-used open overhead walkway.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

The new design introduces a ground level campus plan and architecture to replace the existing upper level secondary connections.

The primary sustainable initiative is retaining and renovating the existing arena shell.

This not only saves on capital costs, it retains a very beautiful and useful shell that is successfully repurposed.

The existing areas are re-roofed and insulated for increased thermal performance.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

The renovation introduces natural light throughout the new gymnasium and running track to greatly reduce electrical lighting load.

All glazing utilizes frit patterns to manage solar gain and all lighting is replaced or designed with LED. The new plaza is designed with bio-swale planting beds to manage all hard surface runoff without the need for stormwater sewer connections.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil

The Student Recreation Centre is a renovation and expansion that restores an aging athletic facility and transforms it into a dynamic hub for student life, activity, and wellness. Working closely with the College and Students Association, the facility is re-imagined as a central hub of campus life, where in addition to fitness, students can congregate, find healthy food options, and receive counseling and therapy.

The new expansion flips the main entrance to engage the campus and increase connectivity. A student plaza and covered walkway at the entrance offer improved opportunity for social interaction, pedestrian movement, and help humanize the campus.

Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
© Shai Gil


Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
Context Plan
Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
Floor Plans


Conestoga College Student Recreation Centre
Isometric

MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects
T +1 416 5936796 F +1 416 5930212
MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects
425 Adelaide St W Level 6, Toronto, ON M5V 3C1, Canada