This article describes how some schools are now spending millions to create recreation spaces with lavish touches that are appealing enough to satisfy existing students and lure potential ones. The recreation centers that colleges and universities are erecting offer students a slice of luxury not seen on campuses just a few years earlier. Several…

High-quality sports facilities are an essential tool in recruiting top collegiate athletes and coaches. They enhance the school's competitiveness and enable expansion of the school's sports programs. In choosing schools, top athletes and coaches assess the quality of the stadium, playing fields, track and courts. But they also will be looking at…

Describes the design of notable school physical education/recreation facilities, including the educational context and design goals. Includes information on architects, suppliers, and cost, as well as photographs. (EV)

Presents K-12 and college physical education/recreation facilities considered outstanding in a competition, which judged the most outstanding learning environments at educational institutions nationwide. Jurors spent two days reviewing projects, highlighting unique concepts and ideas. For each citation, the article offers information on the firm,…

Explores questions of renovation or new construction when evaluating older gymnasiums in schools. Discusses the drawbacks of older structures and the relevant issues of building a new gym, such as access and the use of space, daylight, and materials. Offers tips on using the school landscape and provides a case example. (RJM)

Today's student recreation centers are a far cry from their predecessors. The typical student recreation center built during the 1960s and 1970s was a massive, windowless concrete structure. Many education institutions are using innovative methods to upgrade these buildings and bring in light and liveliness. In this article, the author describes…

Examines what should be featured in an athletic facility, how to plan for the many different sports and activities that will be housed, and how to get the community involved. Areas addressed include planning for locker rooms and storage, flooring and lighting, building code adherence, spectator seating, building security, and outdoor recreation…

Presents a college building judged to be an outstanding student center/service area in a competition, which evaluated outstanding learning environments at educational institutions nationwide. Jurors spent two days reviewing projects, highlighting unique concepts and ideas. Provides data on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,…

Presents the table of contents of award winners for outstanding architectural design in educational facilities. Winning designs listed cover those for common areas, classrooms, libraries and media centers, cafeterias/food service, auditoriums, laboratories, multipurpose rooms, physical/recreational centers, residence halls, student/service…