University of Cincinnati Campus Recreation Center and Student Housing

The new 350,000 SF multi-use recreational complex for the University of Cincinnati uses a strategy of weaving to resolve the difficulty and density of the site, while enhancing integration and flow at the heart of the campus. The diverse program, which was expanded during the course of design, includes a food court, student housing, convenience store, and gymnasium facilities with climbing wall and aquatics center.

The site is located at the center of campus, amid disparate buildings of iconic design, by a collection of different architects. We sought to knit together this campus core, reinforcing pedestrian pathways while connecting to the neighboring structures with views, resonating textures, and massing. The largest element of the complex is the vaulted roofscape that houses the recreational facility and visually extends the flat green of the football stadium. Responding to the edge conditions of the site surrounding the complex, the other building elements mark threshold points of the expansive student center. The sweeping façade of the classroom structure overlooks Main Street and continues the curve of the football stadium seating to the east. The floating housing bar responds to a large building designed by Michael Graves to the west of the building. These edges reinforce the line of movement of campus life and university pedestrian infrastructure.