A major expansion of the University of Georgia’s football training facility has been completed. The project includes 136,300 sf of new space and 28,700 sf of renovated space in the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall athletic headquarters building. The result is composed of three floors of high-performance training experiences for student-athletes and coaches. The modern, amenity-filled space, designed by HOK, will support the university’s efforts to continue to recruit and retain top talent.
The field level includes a new locker room with a central private player’s lounge, equipment room, plunge pool, and nutrition bar. A corridor between these spaces connects to an indoor football practice field and two adjacent outdoor fields. The corridor features rich wood tones, sleek metal details, and large-scale video displays highlighting UGA alumni who have played in the National Football League.
The corridor also connects to a uniform display room accessible by facial recognition technology. This room has black mirrored acrylic walls and faux leather vertical panels that slide to reveal UGA uniforms and athletic gear.
A new entry greets athletes and recruits with a prominent black and red trophy display. Upon entry, players are greeted with a central player-centric area that includes a dining space and demonstration kitchen, along with a player’s lounge offering comfortable seating, entertainment, and 360-degree views of key training amenities. These include a weight room, sports medicine facility with hydrotherapy and recovery spaces, an all-team auditorium, team meeting spaces, and views to the indoor field.
The double-height weight room features a dual-sided video board and a plyometric stair connecting to the field level. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the weight room overlook the outdoor training fields, which in combination with clerestory windows, flood the weight room with natural light.
The second-floor houses staff offices, conference rooms, player support offices, an expanded video suite, and a cardio mezzanine overlooking the weight room. A multipurpose lounge overlooking the indoor field provides a flexible space for entertaining athletes, recruits, and their families.
Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: University of Georgia Athletic Association
Design architect: HOK
Architect of record: HOK
MEP engineer: Johnson, Spellman & Associates (Mech/Plumbing) / Mathis Consulting Engineers (Electrical)
Structural engineer: KSi
General contractor/construction manager: DPR Construction (Design Build)
Related Stories
| Oct 1, 2013
13 structural steel buildings that dazzle
The Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., are among projects named 2013 IDEAS2 winners by the American Institute of Steel Construction.
| Sep 26, 2013
6 ways to maximize home-field advantage in sports venue design
Home-field advantage can play a significant role in game outcomes. Here are ways AEC firms can help create the conditions that draw big crowds, energize the home team to perform better, and disrupt visiting players.
| Sep 24, 2013
8 grand green roofs (and walls)
A dramatic interior green wall at Drexel University and a massive, 4.4-acre vegetated roof at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center in Kansas City are among the projects honored in the 2013 Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence.
| Sep 19, 2013
What we can learn from the world’s greenest buildings
Renowned green building author, Jerry Yudelson, offers five valuable lessons for designers, contractors, and building owners, based on a study of 55 high-performance projects from around the world.
| Sep 19, 2013
6 emerging energy-management glazing technologies
Phase-change materials, electrochromic glass, and building-integrated PVs are among the breakthrough glazing technologies that are taking energy performance to a new level.
| Sep 19, 2013
Roof renovation tips: Making the choice between overlayment and tear-off
When embarking upon a roofing renovation project, one of the first decisions for the Building Team is whether to tear off and replace the existing roof or to overlay the new roof right on top of the old one. Roofing experts offer guidance on making this assessment.
| Sep 17, 2013
Healthcare project will merge outpatient clinic with YMCA to promote wellness and prevention
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region announce collaboration, along with developer The Boldt Company, to create next-generation wellness facility.
| Sep 16, 2013
Study analyzes effectiveness of reflective ceilings
Engineers at Brinjac quantify the illuminance and energy consumption levels achieved by increasing the ceiling’s light reflectance.
| Sep 11, 2013
BUILDINGChicago eShow Daily – Day 3 coverage
Day 3 coverage of the BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo, taking place this week at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.
| Sep 11, 2013
Sports stadium accidents suggest code updates may be necessary to prevent falls
Since 2000, at least three individuals have died as a result of falling from the upper decks of stadiums in the United States. In addition, eight non-fatal falls have occurred in stadiums and arenas over that time.
