LEFT: Designed by VOA Associates Inc., the 340,000-square-foot Activities and Recreation Cen- ter at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign is one of the country’s largest on-campus recreation centers. RIGHT: The majestic winter garden atrium and architectural entrance canopy are both glazed with CPI Daylighting’s translucent Quadwall Nano- Cell polycarbonate panel systems.
very low specified solar heat gain coefficient of 0.183, and a low U value of 0.24, with a 20 percent light transmission.
AMENITIES The fully accessible facility features two 50-meter swimming pools, a 35-foot climbing wall, 12 rac- quetball courts, 1/5-mile indoor track, four gymna- siums, nine multipurpose areas, and hundreds of machines and weights. Additionally, there are three meeting rooms, an instructional kitchen, 150-seat auditorium, sauna, wellness center and café. Cur- rent students, members and guests can access all of the ARC’s amenities, which include free WiFi access throughout. While not LEED certified, the building includes
a number of sustainable features, such as reduced plug loads, passive solar gain and efficient new MEP systems throughout. Additionally, the project utilizes recycled materials in the rubber flooring, plastic laminate and Corian; improves indoor air quality in the pool by reducing chlorine and introduc- ing more outside air; reuse of the existing structure; and local brick materials. Since the ARC’s facilities and ambience were so
vastly improved and enlarged, Fawell explains that students have overwhelmingly accepted the new building. “The new building caters to a real need and exceeds the students’ expectations, many of whom were involved in the initial programming and campaign for the funding of ARC. … It has been a real source of pride for students and alumni.”
The half-round barrel vault extends seamlessly beyond the building envelope into the entry canopy.
Activities and Recreation Center, University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill. Owner: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Architect of record: VOA Associates, Chicago Associate architect: Hughes Group Architects, Sterling, Va. General contractor: Bacon & Van Buskirk, Champaign Programming consultant: Brailsford & Dunlavey, Washington, D.C. Skylights: CPI Daylighting, Lake Forest, lll., www.cpidaylighting.com, Circle #62