Page 32 - spaces4learning, Summer 2022

spaces4learning FACILITY FOCUS
UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH EXPANDS O’CONNELL ATHLETIC CENTER By James LaPosta
THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH in West Hartford, Conn., engaged JCJ Architecture to renovate and expand the school’s existing O’Con- nell Athletic Center into a flexible, multi-sport arena and venue to accommodate existing and
new university programs. The private Catholic university — formerly St. Joseph’s College — became co-educational in 2018 and is undergoing a transformation as it incorporates men into its programs, increases the number of varsity sports and expands its offerings to the wider campus. The new, 31,277-square-foot facility hinges on health and wellness and serves as a multifunctional nexus of student activity that extends beyond traditional athletic programs.
As JCJ Architecture’s fourth new building
for the campus, the project is a continuation of a longstanding collaborative relationship between the firm and the university. The university selected JCJ Architecture to spearhead the project as the need to expand its existing single-gender athletic facilities became apparent following the integration of men into the student body. Furthermore, the school’s leadership wanted a facility that would benefit the full campus community and provide social oppor- tunities outside of athletics. The design is accessible for pedestrians and creates a stronger connection
to the central part of the campus, eliminating the parking lot that had previously set the building apart. Additionally, the facility is situated directly across the street from the Student Center, creating a central hub for student activity.
JCJ Architecture spearheaded the architecture and interiors of the new facility. The firm sought to reconcile the traditional red brick colonial aesthetic of the existing campus buildings with the modern and dynamic new facility that would signal the institution’s commitment to reinvention. The re- sulting design marries the red brick materiality and yellow doorways that are a hallmark of all build- ings on campus with sleek and modern glass forms,
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