University of Richmond Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness

The Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness for the University of Richmond is comprised of both an extensive alteration to an antiquated practice gym, and a major addition to the 9,000-seat Robins Center basketball arena. The mission was to create an open, inviting student recreation center that has a distinct and separate identity from the adjacent varsity athletic facility. This adaptive reuse project is combination of the new gym addition, installation of a mezzanine in the existing practice gym and various alterations of existing athletic facilities. Combined with the limited existing recreation space, the project provides a total of 90,000 square feet of recreational and wellness space.

Exterior design focused on defining a visually strong entry that collected both pedestrian students entering from adjacent residence halls and off-campus users. To provide appropriate scale and identity, a gently arching Peristyle structure was employed to connect the wings of an “L” shaped building footprint that was dictated by site constraints. Additionally, the large gym and fitness spaces were detailed with expansive areas of glass curtainwall in a minimalist style. The design creates a simple background to the prominent Peristyle entry while also providing abundant daylight, visual transparency to interior activities and views from interior gym and fitness spaces to a new, green entrance courtyard.

The entryway opens into a vibrant lobby and social lounge, featuring bright colors and ample natural light. Its open, innovative floor plan optimizes circulation space, with cozy lounges near activity areas. From the central lobby, both staff and participants have views and convenient access to surrounding spaces including the natatorium, gymnasium, cardio-theater, and upper-level fitness center. Strategically placed staff offices offer supervision and security by overseeing the activity areas.

The project has earned LEED Gold certification and showcases a range of sustainable design strategies. These include harnessing ample natural daylighting in primary spaces, utilizing high-efficiency glazing materials and mechanical systems, implementing energy-conserving building envelope construction, integrating heat-island reduction roofing systems, employing inventive stormwater management techniques, repurposing existing constructions through adaptive reuse, specifying local and recycled materials, installing waterless urinals, and effectively managing construction waste. These efforts collectively contribute to a more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient development.

The establishment has significantly enhanced the attraction and retention of new students and faculty, while also offering wellness and physical fitness programs to students, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community within an invigorating, visually inviting, and uplifting environment.