In Flagstaff, Ariz. Northern Arizona University (NAU) has opened its new Student-Athlete High Performance Center.
Designed by DLR Group and built by CORE Construction, the $46 million, 72,000-square-foot training center significantly increases the academic, weight training, recovery, and nutrition space available to Lumberjack student athletes. The facility sits on a hillside with views of Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona.
To enter the building, visitors cross a 140-foot walking bridge that begins at the base of the tree line and elevates 20 feet before reaching the entry. This design choice allowed DLR Group to leave the site as untouched as possible.
“The iconic Parsons Family Auditorium undeniably features one of the best views of any training facility in the country, sitting above the tree line with a 60’ by 40’ glass wall that frames unobstructed views of the 12,600-foot Humphreys Peak and the San Francisco Range,” Andrew Kelly, sports design leader, DLR Group, said in a statement.
Other features include the country’s largest high-altitude training chamber on a college campus. It can simulate atmospheric conditions ranging from sea level to 12,000 feet, allowing student athletes to train at higher elevations and recover faster at sea level.
The Scott and Franci Free Academic Center—which increases dedicated academic space from 700 square feet to more than 7,000 square feet—offers individual study areas, three classrooms, a computer lab, and academic staff offices.
The Jennifer Marie Wilson Strength and Conditioning Center more than doubles the size of the Lumberjacks’ weight training area to 11,500 square feet. And the Michael E. Nesbitt Athletic Training Center features three hydrotherapy recovery pools.
In addition, NAU athletics programs are partnering with the University’s College of Health and Human Services to conduct research on student athletes in the Sims-Treharne Collaborative Research Lab.
On the team:
Owner and/or developer: Northern Arizona University
Design architect and architect of record: DLR Group
MEP and structural engineers: DLR Group
Civil engineer: Shephard-Wesnitzer, Inc.
Landscape architect: Norris Design
General contractor/construction manager: CORE Construction
Related Stories
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 22, 2017
3XN Architects wins competition to design Swedish aquatic center
The Danish firm beat entries from Zaha Hadid Architects and Henning Larsen Architects for the project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 8, 2017
Dan Gilbert’s Rock Ventures proposes a land-for-jailhouse construction exchange
He would take over a downtown Detroit site, where he wants to build a soccer stadium, and build a new jail and courthouse about 1.5 miles away.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 26, 2017
How human performance facilities are changing the game
Human performance facilities are emerging as a new way for people to attend to their overall wellness.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 11, 2017
The Oakland Raiders could build this $1.9 billion stadium if they move to Vegas
The proposal was designed by MANICA Architecture and would seat 65,000 fans with room to expand to 72,000 for the Super Bowl.
Sustainability | Dec 14, 2016
A floating, mobile gym powered by human energy envisioned for the Seine River
Energy created by those exercising within would power the gym down the Seine.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 6, 2016
Airborne America takes flight in San Diego
The three-year-old company opens its first indoor skydiving facility featuring two wind tunnels.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 5, 2016
The Edmonton Oilers new stadium and mixed-use venue is exceeding expectations
The HOK-designed facility was created with more than just NHL games in mind, and has been nominated by Pollstar as the industry’s Best New Major Concert Venue.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 29, 2016
HKS-designed L.A. Stadium breaks ground
The stadium will be home to the L.A. Rams and will also host other world-class sporting events and college championships.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 14, 2016
Soccer stadium from Zaha Hadid Architects will be constructed almost entirely of wood
The architects say the project will be the greenest soccer stadium in the world once completed.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Oct 13, 2016
Ice in the desert: The practice facility for the NHL expansion team in Las Vegas hopes to engage the local community
“This design is all about drawing the community into the excitement of NHL hockey,” says Arnie Martinez, AIA, Director of Architecture for Leo A Daly.
