Architectural Partners worked with Sweet Briar College to design a new 46,000 sq. ft. athletic center addition to Williams Gymnasium. The new center exemplifies the traditional architecture of the Sweet Briar campus including a flemish bond, brick exterior, standing seam metal roof and arched windows and arcades. The fieldhouse itself occupies 22,000 sq. ft. and includes space for tennis, volleyball and basketball courts and a mezzanine running track around the entire perimeter of the space. The support spaces include two racquetball courts, toilet and concession areas, a multi-purpose education and gathering room, and the relocation of the popular Bistros Café to the new facility. A small forty foot by forty foot theater space occupies the “found” attic space above the two racquetball courts. This flexible room can serve as a movie theater, informal dramatic production theater and multi-purpose gathering, lecture and teaching space. The facility also includes 8,000 sq. ft. of new offices for the College’s Department of Athletics and Physical Education and a new more formal entry foyer with three memorabilia alcoves.
The new facility is tied directly to the existing Williams Gymnasium where locker rooms, toilets and showers for both students and faculty have recently been completely renovated. Selections of new materials, equipment and systems for the project are being carefully selected to meet the College’s long-term sustainability goals, energy conservation and efficiency. The AP design team for the new Sweet Briar Athletic Center included Master Engineer and Designers designing mechanical and electrical systems, Nolan Frisa for the structural design, Hurt & Proffitt Engineering for civil, C.L. Lewis for estimating and general contracting, and Sustainable Design Consultants for assistance in evaluating sustainable and green components.