Jackman L. Stewart Athletic Center
The project goal was to design a multi-purpose sports facility to support all seasonal field sports combined with a two-rink ice arena. The challenge was how to separate the two rinks acoustically and functionally. To accomplish this, the design provided for a four-level, central service spine/core to accommodate Competitor Spaces at Ice Level 1 with separate team entrances and corridors from locker rooms to benches. Team rooms are provided for all sports in-season.
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Also included is a Spectator Concourse at Entry Level 2 which connects front and rear entrances, and acoustically isolating the rinks. There is a Press Box Level 3 serving both rinks with Rink 2 side glass-enclosed. Finally, at Mechanical Level 4 is the HVAC equipment serving both rinks.
Focal points of the structure are the exterior building form and the lobby. The exterior shape divides a long curved roof into two sections, both sloping to within 12 feet of grade. Seen from the lower driveway approach, the building blends into the Berkshire foothills beyond. It was situated as far back as possible on the site to reduce its scale.
The interior focal point is the entry lobby and concourse with glazed walls allowing visitors a view into the rinks, offering soft seating in a heated quiet space, a café, and several offset entries into both rinks.
Berkshire’s campus site for this new sports complex allowed for a tiered approach to site planning with the rink at the top rear of the visual framework. The 10-acre site was large enough to easily support a building’s 78,000 SF footprint, as well as two soccer fields, a baseball field, a field events area, and a new facilities complex to the rear of the sports complex.
CLIENT
Berkshire School
LOCATION
Sheffield, Massachusetts
YEAR COMPLETED
2009
SIZE
120,000 SF
COST
$30,000,000
QA+M Architecture is a full-service architectural firm that provides programming, planning and interior design for clients in commercial, community, education, healthcare, historical, housing, and recreational/athletic markets. Staffed by 34 dedicated professionals, including 17 licensed architects, QA+M has grown to be the 4th largest architectural firm in the Greater Hartford area.
ADDRESS
195 Scott Swamp Rd, Farmington, CT 06032
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