UC Irvine is a relatively young institution, being founded in the early ‘60s. Nonetheless, they have been extremely competitive in athletics. However, being competitive in athletics is a constantly moving target. Training, athlete support, recruiting, and facilities are part of the equation beyond the actual on the field performance. When asked about a recruiting pitch to prospective athletes, the Athletic Director replied, “this,” while gesturing to the landscapes surrounding the building. To be an athlete in Southern California is to train outdoors and to have access to a climate that supports year-round engagement.

The environment is the motivation. The SCC uses the existing structure designed for offices and opens it many ways. The design team investigated the existing structure and in concert with an interest in opening the existing building, found an opportunity to remove the existing small office and circuitous corridors as well as all ceilings an infrastructure. The original roof trusses provide a new structural rhythm that works well with the original exterior precast concrete modules.

The mechanical system of the building further supports the design agenda. Two large roll-up doors provide outside air to the mechanical system as the economizer cycle allowing the system to work much more efficiently. The large doors also allow the athletes to migrate in and out of the building to the wraparound concrete deck. The heavy duty equipment remains indoors but the athletes are already using the deck for stretching and lighter activities.

The ASC occupies a basement which was utility space and the previous weight room. It was important to the Athletics Department to further support the academic life of student athletes. The former Study Center was situated in a dilapidated portable building and did not convey the importance of the student in “student-athletes.”

Working with a basement space, partially underground, and limited budget, made for a challenging project. The design team endeavored to bring natural light to the project through strategic openings in existing concrete walls. Openings were limited due to potential triggers of a full building seismic retrofit.

Openings at the entry and to the neighboring pool bring light from each end. The design of the space then supports the endwall openings in the long space through embracing the length and modulating it with a dramatic ceiling element. The efficient, site fabricated ceiling screen serves to extend perception throughout the space. The screen is fabricated from light steel framing and stained wood slats and supports lighting, concealed electrical and screened ductwork.

In the end the projects are economical adaptive reuses of important existing architecture that respect the integrity of the original structures and provide high-functioning spaces for the continued growth of the athletics programs.