-By Katie Weeks, Photography by Basil Childers

project: University of Oregon Athletic Medicine Center
client: University of Oregon
location: Eugene, Ore
designer: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca

Designed to reflect a holistic approach to athlete care, The University of Oregon's 15,000-sq.-ft. Athletic Medicine Center (AMC) is in a league of its own. The sports therapy and training facility incorporates tools that heal (massage tables, hydro-therapy tubs, exam rooms, a pharmacy, and x-ray facility) alongside tools that help make athletes stronger (bikes and treadmills), better nourished (a nutrition bar), and healthier and more motivated (optometry, dental, and acupuncture offices).

"We had to challenge the 'jock' mentality regarding healing and treatment that's prevalent within the collegiate athletic culture, transitioning from a bare-bones, physical treatment only model to a more holistic model that sought to care for the whole person, from nutrition, to eye care, to physical therapy, to psychological care," says Gene Sandoval, partner in charge at Zimmer Gunsul Frasca. "Another challenge was accommodating larger-than-life individuals and ensuring the facility fit the physical dimension of the athletes, from 100-lb. runners to 400-lb. offensive linemen."

Athletes enter via a seating area anchored by a reception desk and nutrition bar, which is further divided into smaller sections by a zigzagging, internally illuminated, white Corian bench that references an unraveling roll of athletic tape. Four pictorial screens constructed of sandblasted glass showcase the university's sports history, depicting a running back, basketball player, sprinter, and an anonymous university athlete in a letterman jacket, all constructed from the names of former university athletes with star players highlighted in yellow. Nearby, a white oak wall is branded with the names of the university's most important coaches.

Other references to UO's history include the school's "O" logo springing from 3,000 aluminum rods in a glass wall separating the nutrition bar from 10 custom-designed taping tables. Bar stools at the nutrition bar are fitted with leather covers that were laser cut to reflect numerical statistics, and the bar's kick panel is inscribed with words chosen by athletes to describe the ideal qualities of space. Nearby, a natatorium containing hot and cold tubs and three hydrotherapy tubs is enveloped by full-height wood slats alongside acrylic fins that progress from yellow to green, the university's colors. As an added bonus, water cascades down the acrylic, providing visual movement and noise control. "It was critical to the University that staff supervision of the athletes was possible without compromising their privacy or giving them a sense they were being watched," notes Randy Stegmeier, principal interior designer. "Thus, the final design features glass enclosures and layering of materials with varying degrees of transparency."

jury comment:

"This seems more like a cool club with fitness equipment than an athletic center. It exhibits a masterful use of materials and detailing."


who
Project: The University of Oregon Athletic Medicine Center. Client: University of Oregon. Architect: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects. Interior designer: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects. Structural engineer: KPFF. Mechanical engineer: Harvey and Price. Electrical engineer:  LR Brabham. General contractor: Hoffman Construction Company. Lighting designer: Glumac. Photographer: Basil Childers.

what
Wallcoverings: Nikolai Manufacturing. Paint: Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Rodda Paint. Solid surfaces: Corian, Formica, LG-Hi-Macs. Flooring: Coverings, Ann Sacks. Carpet/carpet tile: Interface. Lighting: Ingo-Mauer. Doors: Culver Glass/ Pulp Studio. Glass: Culver Glass. Electric Switchable Glass:  Pulp Studio. Lounge seating: Paola Lenti. Other seating: Herman Miller, Mariner Production. Upholstery: Raleigh Hills Upholstery. Cafeteria, dining, training tables: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, Mariner Production. Other tables: Merkled. Architectural woodworking, cabinetmaking: J.S. Perrott. Signage: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, Multi-Light Sign Co. Therapy pools:  Hydroworx. Hot/Cold Plunge Pools:  Emerald Pool and Spa.

where
Location: Eugene, Ore. Total floor area: 14,000 sq. ft. No. of floors: 1.