Tarleton State University | Recreation Center

Construction Cost : $14.5M | SF : 72,000 Rec Sports Center at Tarleton State University is big business. The University has the highest participation rate of students in recreational sports of any institution in the state. The Texas A&M University System and Tarleton State University selected Randall Scott Architects to complete this important commission which was funded through a student referendum. The scope of work consisted of a Cardio Theatre, 3 Court Multi-purpose Gymnasium, Strength Training Area, Aerobics Rooms, Martial Arts Rooms, 2 Classrooms, a Rock Climbing Wall, 4 Glazed Racquetball Courts, Elevated Running Track, Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms, Sand Volleyball Courts, Outdoor Adventures Storage & Checkout, Outdoor Hockey, Outdoor Basketball, an Outdoor Patio, future provisions for an Outdoor Pool, Rec Sports Offices and the main Control Desk. Since the project contained general Classrooms for the use of students who might not be members of the Rec Sports Center, the project was carefully planned to provide “free zones” and “secured zones” the latter of which could only be accessed by members. The Rec Sports Center was located on a major traffic thoroughfare (Rome Street) of the campus taking advantage of open parking, residence life facilities and other nearby athletic venues. The primary façade facing the street to the east was designed with large sweeping glass facades to allow views out of and into the high activity Cardio Theatre, Strength Training, Rock Climbing Wall and Elevated Running Track areas. The introduction of the sweeping curved façade was a new design element for the Tarleton campus which has since incorporated it as one of their campus design standards. Another new design element introduced in the building facade, dual tubular aluminum columns expressed on the exterior of the façade develop an architectural rhythm complimenting the sweeping curved glazing and contrasting the textured orange campus brick. Horizontal aluminum shading structures cantilevered out from the aluminum columns shade the east facing glass from solar radiation during the warm summer months.