Texas A&M University: Student Recreation Center Expansion and Renovation

Texas A&M University

PHOTOS © ZAC SEEWALD

The Texas A&M Student Recreation Expansion and Renovation project added 100,000 square feet to an already significant building footprint (290,000 square feet) for a growing student population in College Station, TX.

Marmon Mok Architecture, who specializes in campus recreation building design, implemented the following strategies, and more, in the design of the expansion and renovation of the Recreation Center, also originally designed by the firm: High use/low cost, quality space to lead the market, and connecting inside and outside.

High use means all activity spaces are multifunctional. Economic sustainability resulted from providing each space with the capability to accommodate general recreation activities, fee-based recreation activities, and rentals for special events.

Low cost of operation resulted from long-lasting building systems, materials, and equipment; reduced energy costs; and strategic positioning of staff and multi-purpose space to build less space and reduce staff cost.

Quality space incorporates movable walls for flexibility, technology for user instruction and presentation, daylight, and user controls for air and light, views, and air quality. Expansive windows, clerestories, and translucent walls produced abundant natural light and inspiring views throughout activity spaces.

The 10,000-square-foot terrace to the north is complete with a shade canopy, planters, an outdoor kitchen, and a commanding view of Kyle Field. Multiple balconies at multipurpose rooms to the south overlooking the baseball stadium outfield have become the new “Aggie Alley” on game day.

Additional program: weight room expansion (doubled); eight-lane lap pool, four multipurpose group exercise rooms; boxing and combatives room; double basketball court/soccer gymnasium.

The project received the NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facility national award from the National Intramural & Recreational Sports Association at the 2018 conference.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management May 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

  • University of Kansas Opens $400M Football Stadium Reconstruction

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced that the $400-million reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is complete in time for the 2025 football season, according to a news release. The university partnered with Turner Construction Company on the project.

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.