Northwestern University recently opened the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Fieldhouse on the university’s Evanston campus. Perkins+Will designed the glass, metal, and stone complex that provides unobstructed views east and north toward Lake Michigan.
The multi-purpose center will provide year-round practice and training space for Northwestern student-athletes and includes Wilson Field, a practice field that can be used for football, lacrosse, or soccer. The fieldhouse dome was specifically designed to accommodate the kicking, punting, and functional needs of the athletic programs. A series of long-span steel arches correlate to the 10-yard grid of the football field below. The new facility will also serve as recreation and event space for campus programs like University convocations and the annual philanthropic Dance Marathon.
Photo: ©Steinkamp Photography. Courtesy of Perkins+Will.
“Our design goals were to make the most of the spectacular site overlooking Lake Michigan and create an exciting presence near the northern entry to the Evanston Campus,” says Perkins+Will Design Principal Bryan Schabel, in a statement about the project.
The views of Lake Michigan are provided by an all-glass north facade that also fills the space with natural light. Additionally, the Ryan Fieldhouse cantilevers out over the space below to maintain a pedestrian path along the lakefront. The Ryan Fieldhouse represents the first component of the $265 million Walter Athletics Center, also designed by Perkins+Will, which is scheduled to open this summer.
See Also: New living/learning facility at the University of Illinois at Chicago breaks ground
Related Stories
| Sep 7, 2012
Duffy joins Thornton Tomasetti
At Hardesty & Hanover, Duffy partnered with Thornton Tomasetti on a number of projects.
| Aug 24, 2012
Meis heads to Woods Bagot Sport
Staples Center, Paul Brown Stadium architect to leverage global studio to serve clients worldwide.
| Aug 8, 2012
Giants 300 Sports Facilities Report
BD+C's Giants 300 Top 25 AEC Firms in the Sports Facilities sector.
| Jun 14, 2012
Minnesota Vikings stadium plan gets legislative go-ahead
Legislation that approved the construction of a new billion dollar stadium for the Minnesota Vikings passed the Minnesota legislature.
| Jun 8, 2012
Chestnut Hill College dedicates Jack and Rosemary Murphy Gulati complex
Casaccio Yu Architects designed the 11,300-sf fitness and social complex.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 30, 2012
Hill International to manage construction of Al Risafa Stadium in Iraq
The three-year contract has an estimated value to Hill of approximately $3.3 million.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 16, 2012
AEG releases 3D video of L.A.'s Farmers Field
The Los Angeles Convention Center footage depicts the new convention center hall spaces, including a new lobby above Pico Boulevard, pre-function space, and what will be the largest multi-purpose ballroom in Los Angeles.
